Super Screener Santa Anita: Pincay sets value tone in stakes
The Super Screener hopes for one more big day in 2024 with the final edition for the year, including all six graded stakes on opening day at Santa Anita.
The sextet comprises an all-graded-stakes Pick 6 that includes a trio of Grade 1 events and begins with the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2) for older males with early 2025 prizes such as the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on their connections’ minds.
Click here for Santa Anita entries and results.
Mike Shutty has designs on cashing in on the Pincay as well, eschewing the morning-line favorite for a couple potential price options. They include J B Strikes Back, who is 6-1 on the morning line.
“This is a 3-year-old gelding getting good at the right time as he continues to mature,” Shutty said in Super Screener. “While we have seen the best of the older horses in this field, J B Strikes Back is trained by Doug O’Neill and offers a lot of upside.
“He will press this group while saving ground, and thanks to a very balanced energy-distribution profile, he is quite tactical and is well equipped to handle any type of pace setup. This is a step against tougher competition, but after consecutive big victories, he has earned the right to test deeper waters. His last work was quite sharp and provides more reason to believe another move forward is coming here.”
Each race in the Super Screener includes top win contenders, the most reliable board-hitter, top value, the top long shot and other horses to use. Shutty then uses these classifications to come up with wagering strategy for each race.
J B Strikes Back is the most intriguing horse in the Pincay, but Tarantino is a top win contender and not the morning-line favorite. American Admiral at 12-1 on the morning line is an intriguing long shot.
“He is on the rise after being away for nearly a year, and with more advancement in his form cycle anticipated in this third start off the layoff, he holds a distinct pace advantage,” Shutty said.
Super Screener is available every week covering the top races and wagers. Subscribe now and get every week through Kentucky Derby for $97 as well as daily Power Picks and Horses to Single reports.