Boxing Day racing- 12/26

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www.officeholidays.com/holidays/boxing-day

Opening day at Santa Anita will get the lion's share of betting interest, but GP and TAM have bettable turf races too; Wolverhampton (UK) has a conditions stakes and two top-level handicaps on the AW; Nakayama (JPN) features the {USD $6,172,000} GI Arima Kinen (1 9/16 mi T) with the likes of Chrono Genesis and Deep Bond in the sixteen horse field. Finally, if you like races over the jumps, there are TEN tracks in the UK/IRE holding fixtures on Sunday, with the GI Christmas Hurdle and GI King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. 


NAK R11 (1:25am ET)- 1m4½f Arima Kinen (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) (3yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/514/nakayama/2021-12-26/801716/

Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (G1) - Comments from runners' connections

japanracing.jp/en/racing/schedule/graded/list/2021/1226arima.html


KEM R4 (9:30am ET)- 2m (Winter) Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/28/kempton/2021-12-26/799266


WOL R3 (10:00am ET)- 6f Conditions Stakes (Class 2) (3yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/513/wolverhampton-aw/2021-12-26/799449


KEM R5 (10:05am ET)- 3m King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/28/kempton/2021-12-26/795940


WOL R4 (10:35am ET)- 7f Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/513/wolverhampton-aw/2021-12-26/799448


WOL R5 (11:10am ET)- 1m1½f Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/513/wolverhampton-aw/2021-12-26/799447


GP R1 (12:00noon ET)- Mdn 60k 1 1/16 Mile (T) 2yo Fillies

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/HGrahamMotion/MOTION+H+GRAHAM/9999/summary.html


TAM R3 (1:12pm ET)- OC 32000n2x 1 Mile (T) 3&up

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/Winstar_Farm_LLC/DISTORTED+HUMOR/1993/summary.html


GP R5 (1:54pm ET)- Tropical Park Oaks (Listed) 1 1/16 Mile (T) 3yo Fillies

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/GeorgeWeaver/WEAVER+GEORGE/9999/summary.htm


SA R5 (4:08pm ET)- San Gabriel S. (G2) 1 1/8 Mile (T) 3&up

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/Vinery/MORE+THAN+READY/1997/summary.html


GP R10 (4:32pm ET)- Tropical Park Derby (Listed) 1 1/16 Mile (T) 3yo

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/ToddPletcher/PLETCHER+TODD+A/9999/summary.html


SA R7 (5:12pm ET)- Santa Anita Mathis Mile S. (G2) 1 Mile (T) 3yo

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/DougOneill/O%27NEILL+DOUG/9999/summary.html


SA R10 (6:49pm ET)- 7f Malibu Stakes (G1) (3yo) (Dirt) (3yo)

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/DougOneill/O%27NEILL+DOUG/9999/summary.html


SA R11 (7:20pm ET)- American Oaks (G1) 1 1/4 Mile (t) 3yo Fillies

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/ChadCBrown/BROWN+CHAD+C/9999/summary.html




TW

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NAK R11 (1:25am ET)- 1m4½f Arima Kinen (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) (3yo+)

Swan song for the great race mare #7- Chrono Genesis, who goes off to the breeding shed following this race. She certainly wasn't helped by the bottomless heavy ground at Longchamp for the Arc, but still ran on for a mid-pack finish, only beaten 5+ lengths. Sounds like she hasn't recovered fully from that effort, but even on an off day she's better than many of these. Feel-good result. I like #10- Efforia, 3yo colt with five wins from six starts, including a victory over elders last time in GI Tenno Sho at Tokyo, defeating 2020 Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail. #16- Titleholder is the other quality 3yo in the race, having won the St. Leger last time by five lengths going 15F. Third start off the break, was primed for the Classic last time, and may not be 'sharp' enough for this shorter race. #5- Deep Bond ran last in the Arc, but was enjoying a progressive 4yo season before that dud. Can't be dismissed.

I'll post the replay when available.





TW 

[Badactor]

May your Boxing Day ex&tri boxes be filled with winners!

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www.racingpost.com/results/514/nakayama/2021-12-26/801716




TW

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KEM R4 (9:30am ET)- 2m (Winter) Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)

Taking a chance with the 4yo #4- Tritonic (4-1) which was victorious in a GIII eight days ago, and won impressively here in February on only course try.

WIN- 4


WOL R3 (10:00am ET)- 6f Conditions Stakes (Class 2) (3yo+)

#3- Ejtilaab (4-1) was very progressive through the first half of 2021 until he was pulled-up at Goodwood in July. If he's healthy and fully cranked he could win this, but taking a cautious approach here as this is clearly not the seasonal target. #2- Judicial (5-2) 9yo is equally adept on grass or AW, comebacker at Lingfield was a good second in a Listed event. Should move forward from that effort.

EX- 2/1,3,6


KEM R5 (10:05am ET)- 3m King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)

#2- Chantry House (4-1) has an impressive record over jumps (10/8-0-2) and keeps improving as a 7yo. #3- Clan Des Obeaux (7-2) and #4- Frodon (7-1), both previous winners of this race, look likeliest to challenge.

WIN- 2




TW

[UpInClass]

ALL TRACKS: Odds & Entries

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WOL R4 (10:35am ET)- 7f Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)

#5- Trumble (3-1) is on a roll, winning three straight at Chelmsford, but he picks up another 8 points in the ratings and faces an even better Class 2 field today. I'll go with the highweight #1- Misty Grey (7-2) which is a perfect 3-for-3 here and drops from Listed-company into this spot; he won this race twelve months ago.

EX- 1/2,5,6  Result: 1,6,2  Exacta $69.00  Misty Grey ($6.20) sat a wide trip in the clear until they turned in, made the front and then held on for a gritty win over Ayr Harbour (13-1), which also ran a tenacious race but was a nose the second best.





TW

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WOL R5 (11:10am ET)- 1m1½f Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)

#1- Power of States (9-2) is a fine AW horse (1/6-1-1), and is 2-for-2 here at today's distance. Hollie Doyle takes the mount today, and I think he's sitting on a big effort in second outing of his form cycle.

EX- 1/2,5,6  Result: 6,2,4  Alexander James ($7.40) proved the stretchout to 9.5F was absolutely no problem (not for a son of Camelot). Power of States (dead last) had nothing to offer when the real running began, clearly there was a reason he hadn't been back on a racetrack since November 4th.




TW

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GP R1 (12:00noon ET)- Mdn 60k 1 1/16 Mile (T) 2yo Fillies

Captain Obvious pick: #1- Beside Herself (4-1) was an ok third first time out, shipped to FL immediately after that race and has six good works at Palm Beach Downs. Full-sister to SW Thrilled, who was twice graded-stakes-placed on grass as a 2yo, also for owner Tabor. Will use a few underneath as leverage.

EX- 1/4,7,8,12




TW

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TAM R3 (1:12pm ET)- OC 32000n2x 1 Mile (T) 3&up

TRI- 3,5/3,5,6/ALL




TW