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US Racing: light at the end of the tunnel for Santa Anita

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Nick Shiambouros gives us his take on the latest in the Santa Anita track problems, takes a look back at recent racing and gives us his best bets for the upcoming action from across the pond

The Santa Anita saga took yet another but more predictable turn when it was announced that it would have to install a new surface after the meeting ends on April 20th. The burning question, however, remains as to what kind of surface is to be installed. Track president Ron Charles said, "We'll have to make a major change at the end of this meeting". At least this decision brings to a close the debate as to how successful the repairs to the track were by Pro-Ride, who in fairness have done an amazing job in getting the track to a condition where racing could at least take place.

As a result of the state racing board mandating that all major tracks in California race on a synthetic surface, there are only a few companies that can offer Santa Anita a different choice to Cushion Track. I think that Tapeta Footings and Polytrack must be considered alongside Pro-Ride.

Last weekend's racing saw a couple of upsets as the race for the Kentucky Derby heats up. Over at Gulfstream Park in The Hallandale Beach Stakes, hot favourite Cowboy Cal could not withstand the persistent challenge of Why Tonto, who finally wore down the betting choice close home. The winner and the second were trained by Todd Pletcher but I think both horses will have to improve substantially to be considered live Derby hopefuls.

A couple of hundred miles north of Miami at Tampa Bay Downs in The Sam F Davis Stakes, Fierce Wind put up a game display in beating Big Truck and Smooth Air in this hot contest. The favourite Z Humour was a major disappointment and faded to finish a poor fifth. It is really encouraging that Tampa Bay Downs is being supported by top class trainers and owners and it is a credit to the staff and management of this beautiful racecourse located in the small town of Oldsmar. I have spent many a pleasurable afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs and I can assure you it is well worth the visit if you are in the area.

This Sunday Gulfstream Park features one of my favourite races of the year in the shape of the Grade 2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes run over nine furlongs. I like a couple of horses in the shape of Anak Nakal and Halo Najib and will be backing them both. Anak Nakal should be around [4.0] for trainer Nick Zito and Halo Najib should be around [6.0].

Also at Gulfstream on Saturday is the Grade 1 Gulfstream Turf Stakes run over a mile and three furlongs on the turf course. I think that Shamdiman could be the one in this wide-open affair, but I will be looking at [5.0] win and [2.0] in the place market as there are horses like Einstein and Dave who are legitimate contenders in this race.

At Santa Anita this Saturday The San Luis Obispo Handicap Grade 2 is run over a marathon mile and a half for four year olds and up and features some ex-European horses, with Sudan the one of interest to me in this race. Sudan has some decent form in France and could go off at a big price so I am looking to back him at around [12.0] for the win in this event and [3.5] in the place.

It seems that Santa Anita is in the news for all the wrong reasons lately but I am sure the track will survive this crisis and the new track will be installed in plenty of time for the Breeders Cup later on this year. I wish I could say the same for track president Ron Charles, but America is the land of second chances so I hope he will be afforded one from the powers that be as he is a racing fan first and foremost and not just another accountant.

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