We are excited to announce a renewed partnership with the fine folks and handicappers at 1/ST BET. Jeremy Plonk and Jeff Siegel will be sharing their expertise on a weekly basis to pass along some ponies that they like for races at various tracks around the country, including Santa Anita.

For this Sunday, December 29 article, Jeff Siegel shares everything you need to know for the racing card for opening day at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Race 6: Post: 2:35 PT
Top Selection/Prime Play: 7-Pratchett.

Forecast: Pratchett is lightly raced with further improvement in him, though moving up from open maiden $20,000 to Cal-bred maiden $50,000 lands a very soft spot for the level. Based on speed figures, the 4-year-old son of Richard’s Kid is the likely choice and one to beat. The Mike Puype-trained gelding was almost six lengths clear of the rest last time out while running a winning race in defeat, so at 8/5 on the morning line in a field without a viable alternative, he’s a logical rolling exotic single.

Santa Anita Race 8: Post: 3:46 PT
Top Selection/Prime Play: 4-Duty First

Forecast: Duty First has been away 11 months after being a voided claim, but he returns protected in a sign of confidence and has numbers from last year that make him a strong fit in this restricted (nw-3) $20,000 sprint that came up with an obvious lack of early speed. It would appear that the son of Smiling Tiger should be more than capable of grabbing control early and dominating throughout with anything close to his best race. The work tab seems healthy enough to have him fit and ready, so let’s sink or swim with the 9/5 morning line favorite.