Proudinsky tepid fav in wide open renewal of San Gabriel

Robert Frankel’s Proudinsky, a loser of six straight, is the 5-2 choice to get back on the beam in the San Gabriel Handicap. The Grade 2 event is the eighth race of nine on Sunday at Santa Anita, and it will be run at nine furlongs on the turf.

The aforementioned morning line favorite finished 2nd in this event last year, and he began his campaign with a graded tally at Fair Grounds before his current string of bad luck. He does like the local green, but note that he seems to do his best work with some give in the ground.

Monmouth Stakes replay – Big Brown, Proudinsky

Medici Code landed the show in this event last year, and he has only race three times since. Consistent, versatile turf perfomer lands the cozy rail and could be sitting on a top effort in his 3rd race off a layoff. He figures to offer nice value at 8-1 on the line.

Medici Code wins 2007 Del Mar Derby

Becrux has run two solid races since moving to the John Sadler barn. Flat mile specialist packs a nice late kick and has the class to run past them all. He is 0-4 over the local green, and distance/race shape are the biggest hurdles for this one.

Ferneley has failed to threaten in a trio of graded turf tries and might be better at a flat mile. He owns competitive speed ratings and is not without a chance.

Obrigado frequently sneaks into the exotics in this type of race, and the Neil Drysdale runner has fired from 9-12 furlongs.

Porfido is a long distance specialist for Robert Frankel, and he makes his first start since July. He has been a purse nibbler in this country, and maybe he grabs a share today.

Swift Winds has won three straight at a flat mile and is a solid California bred performer, but this company and distance will likely put an end to his current streak.

Sartorial is probably the one to catch for Richard Mandella, but he sports the look of an optional claiming type, and he has never run this far.

Silent Soul exits a wire job win at this distance in a race originally scheduled for the turf. Two-time grass winner will probably find this company too salty.

It was a wild and wacky day at the Great Race Place on Saturday. Garrett Gomez ended up in the hospital when his mount Back At You ducked into the rail in the Eddie Logan Stakes. Note that he is scheduled to ride Proudinsky on Sunday.

Fleet filly Indyanne fractured her left front sesamoid in the stretch of the La Brea (G1), a race won by heavy fav Indian Blessing. Indyanne has a realistic chance to be saved for broodmare duties.

Juvenile filly Saucey Evening stormed from off the pace to impressively nab the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes for Graham Motion, and Flashmans Papers once again held off Kelly Leak in the aformentioned Eddie Logan.

Rafael Bejarano, Garrett Gomez, and Mike Smith each booted home a pair on Saturday.

Sunday’s card also includes the Blue Norther for grassy juvenile fillies, and Bob Baffert’s Internallyflawless is strictly the one to beat.

Sunday’s 5th race is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Sunday’s 6th race is my racingonthenet free selection of the day.

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