Rare Rap Treat

Rap Tale is 5-1 morning line, 4th choice in the Rare Treat Handicap on Saturday at the Big A (third race). I've been willing to listen to those who have criticized Kasey K for placing her unrealistically, even as she's earned more than $130,000 for the stable (despite failing to Beyer over 78). In fact, I've expressed a preference myself for the softer spots which trainer Bruce Brown has deftly found. But not this time. We'd have to be idiots to not run her in this spot. She's out of conditions, blossoming, and ready to roll, as evidenced by a bullet five furlong work that has Brown raving.

Whatsmore, Ramon is back up, she drew the rail and, with Successful Sarah instead opting for a starter allowance race today, the possible lone speed. Weathered (9-5) is a legit 1-2 favorite in my view. But she seems to prefer to stalk (unless Luzzi decides to get even for being taken off Rap Tale). So I'm hoping that it well be a similar scenario to the Ladies Handicap, in which Rap Tale led into the stretch and was unfortunate to get nipped out of the show spot and the elusive black type. This is an eighth mile shorter, and, while a couple of the others besides Weathered may be a bit faster on paper, Rap Tale is certainly not outclassed by any of those, and we still believe that her best is yet to come.

- A longtime reader is begging me to mention Rail Trip, so here we go. Trainer Ron Ellis is being patient with this undefeated (3 for 3) four-year old son of Jump Start, entered in the second at Santa Anita today, allowing him to climb through allowance conditions before moving on to stakes. He's won each of his prior three starts in ridiculously easy fashion, with Beyers of 102, 101, and 99. Ellis is not exactly babying him in terms of starts however; he last raced three weeks ago, and made his debut on November 7. He's out of a Carson City mare, which probably contributes to his speed-oriented dosage index of 5.18....though the stretch out to two turns was no impediment last time out.