Govenor Charlie makes 2015 bow Friday at Santa Anita

Winner of the 2013 Sunland Derby, Govenor Charlie has been off since April of last year. The dark bay colt earned a berth in the 2013 Kentucky Derby by virtue of his Sunland Derby victory but was withdrawn after missing some training due to a sore foot. He went on to finish 8^th in the Preakness before getting the rest of the year off. Last year the Bob Baffert trainee raced just 3 times, earning a 2^nd in an optional claimer and the G2 Strub and finishing off the board in the G3 Razorback Handicap. Despite the two long layoffs, Govenor Charlie once again returns to the starting gate, facing 5 rivals in Race 4, a 1 1/16 mile optional claimer for 3-year olds and up, Friday at Santa Anita.

Secretsatmidnight—(Martin Garcia, 124) Stablemate to Govenor Charlie, Secretsatmidnight will be part of the early pace. With just 3 career wins, other Pegram owned son of Midnight Lute does not look to be a legitimate threat to win but could pick up a check for a minor placing.

Govenor Charlie—(Martin Pedroza, 120) Last year Govenor Charlie managed a good second in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes off an eight month layoff. Like stablemate Secretsatmidnight, Govenor Charlie will part of the pace. He set a track record in the 1 1/8 Sunland Derby as a 3-year old, so obviously he has speed. The question will be whether or not he can sustain that speed against a field with several other confirmed speed horses or track the pace and pounce in the lane rather than burning himself off in a duel for the lead.

Batti Man—(Mike Smith, 120) Another confirmed frontrunner, Batti Man has not won a race in nearly two years. He is graded stakes placed, but also dropped all the way down into the higher level claiming ranks. Now with trainer Kristin Mulhall, the 7-year old gelding appears to be back on the upswing after getting 8 months off following his 6^th place finish in last year’s G3 Precisionist Stakes. If he continues to improve, he could at least hit the board and perhaps win.

Macro Access—(Joe Talamo, 120) New to the United States, Macro Access is a group 2 winner in native Argentina. Unfortunately, his last two starts left a lot to be desired. In his final start in Argentina, the son of Equal Stripes lost a group 1 by 11 ½ lengths, placing 10^th. In his U.S. debut back in March, Macro Access lost a 7 furlong optional claimer by 17 ¼ lengths after dueling for the lead in the early stages of the race. I don’t see this one being a threat to hit the board.

You Know I Know—(Edwin Maldonado, 124) Like Batti Man, You Know I Know has not seen the winner’s circle since 2013, but unlike that foe, the John Sadler trainee has given a better accounting of himself in the interim. He has tallied third place finishes in the 2013 G1 Pacific Classic, the 2013 G2 Fayette and the 2014 G2 San Diego Handicap. He has faced some stiff competition and takes a step down in class for this spot. With so much speed drawn to his inside, this gelding will benefit from the pace scenario and will make his presence felt in the stretch.

Bailoutbobby—(Elvis Trujillo, 120) Trained by Doug O’Neill, Bailoutbobby has hit the board in all 3 of his dirt starts at Santa Anita. I really have a hard time knowing exactly what to make of this gelding. He has raced on all three surfaces, but only has wins on the turf and all weather surface, despite giving a good accounting of himself on the dirt. His victories range in distance from a mile to a mile and a quarter, so what surface and distance does he prefer? Hard to say. However, his E Speed Figures for 2015 have been high, and with his presser type running style, I like his chances to win.

Govenor Charlie looks like he would be the obvious choice in this spot, but with all the speed drawn to the inside and next to each other, I am looking to the outside for a price and a winner. You Know I Know should get an ideal pace setup, but Bailoutbobby will have first run at the leaders. With his high speed figures, I’m taking Bailoutbobby for the win over You Know I Know and Govenor Charlie.

The Play

$10 exacta 6/5,2 = $20

$10 trifecta 6/5,2/5,2 = $20