Large field entered for Santa Anita Handicap

Horseracing Betting Lines

02/27/2008 - Arcadia, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Saturday's running of the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap has drawn 14 older thoroughbreds, the maximum allowed to start.

The 71st edition of the 1 1/8 mile 'Big Cap' will have a different feel from prior years. Two-time defending champion Lava Man is being held back from the race. Trained by Doug O'Neill, the seven-year-old gelding may return at the Hollywood Park spring/summer meet.

Go Between, winner of the Sunshine Millions Classic here, has post 12 with jockey Garrett Gomez returning to ride. Owned by Peter Vegso, Go Between is trained by Bill Mott and is 6-1 in the morning-line.

The five-year-old has 22 career starts with seven wins for more than $1.8 million. While 19 of those starts have been on the turf, Go Between won last year's Fayette Stakes at Keeneland on a synthetic surface.

Trainer Craig Dollase's two horses entered into the "Big Cap' are the top two choices in the program. Veteran runner Awesome Gem is the 4-1 favorite with Strub Stakes winner Monterey Jazz listed at 5-1. Awesome Gem will break from post five with David Flores riding and to his outside in post six will be Monterey Jazz and rider Russell Baze.

"Russell rode him when the horse broke his maiden, so we think he's a great fit," Dollase said. "He knows the horse's ability and he's excited about coming here to ride him."

Awesome Gem is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and is after his first win since an allowance race last June at Hollywood Park. The winner of last year's San Fernando Breeders' Cup, the gelding has earnings of better than $1.61 million in 16 lifetime starts. He has been in the money 13 times with four wins and seven second place finishes.

Monterey Jazz is working on a three race win streak. Prior to his victory in the Strub, the four-year-old won the Sir Beaufort on the turf following an allowance win.

"He's really improved immensely," said Dollase after the Strub Stakes, "and hopefully we've got some bigger and better races down the road. He's really a freak of nature. We obviously found the right key with him now. He probably wanted to stretch out all along and I just didn't know that, so we've got a brand new horse on our hands, and he's the real deal."

Owned by A & R Stables and Class Racing Stable, Monterey Jazz has won five of 11 career starts for $347,740.

Here is the complete field for the 1 1/4 Santa Anita Handicap in post position order: Champs Elysees, Ramon Dominguez, 10-1; Tiago, Mike Smith, 6-1; Big Booster, Michael Baze, 15-1; Medici Code, Martin Pedroza, 15-1; Awesome Gem, David Flores, 4-1; Monterey Jazz, Russell Baze, 5-1; Zappa, Joel Rosario, 15-1; Seminole Native, Jose Valdivia Jr., 30-1; Celtic Dreamin, Alex Solis, 20-1; Heatseeker, Rafael Bejarano, 8-1; Student Council, Richard Migliore, 12-1; Go Between, Garrett Gomez, 6-1; Great Hunter, Victor Espinoza, 8-1, and Air Commander, Aaron Gryder, 20-1.

The 'Big Cap' has a scheduled post-time of 7 p.m. (et).

Wwwfivestarcasino Horseracing Betting News

<< Opening week in Arena FB; All Division Champs in action
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arena Football Leagues 22nd season and the Mitsubishi Motors Drive to ArenaBowl XXII New Orleans takes the national stage as two nationally-televised matchups feature all four division champions from 2007.

<< Pens Hall, Scuderi out after surgery
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Hall underwent successful surgery Wednesday to repair a sports hernia and will be sidelined four to six weeks. Hall has played in 44 games for the Penguins this sea

<< Sens fire Paddock
Ottawa, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Ottawa Senators fired coach John Paddock Wednesday and announced general manager Bryan Murray will return to the bench as coach. Details to follow...

<< Panthers release Carr, bring back Muhammad
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Panthers ended quarterback David Carr's short tenure with the team Tuesday, but also brought one of the franchise's most established veterans back into the fold, signing free ag

<< Twins sign 16 including Liriano, Bonser
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins signed 16 players Wednesday, including starting pitchers Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser. Liriano missed the entire 2007 season after undergoing reconstructive left elbow sur

Davenport, Peer reach Memphis quarters >>
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1 American Lindsay Davenport and last year's Memphis runner-up Shahar Peer were among Wednesday's second- round winners at the $175,000 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships & The Cellular Sout

Red Bulls' Kovalenko shipped to RSL for draft pick >>
Secaucus, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Red Bulls announced on Wednesday that they have acquired a conditional 2010 MLS SuperDraft selection from Real Salt Lake in exchange for midfielder Dema Kovalenko. "We want to thank Dema for his

Roye released by Browns >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Browns released defensive tackle Orpheus Roye on Wednesday, ending an eight-year stint with the club. Roye, 35, has been in Cleveland since signing with the Browns in 2000, and has played

Bills release RB Thomas, three others >>
Orchard Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Buffalo Bills released veteran running back Anthony Thomas and three others Wednesday. The team also waived goodbye to cornerback Jerametrius Butler, linebacker Coy Wire and offensive lineman Aaron Me

SPL leaders Rangers hammer Hearts, keep 4-point lead >>
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jean-Claude Darcheville and Nacho Novo each scored two goals to lead Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers past Hearts, 4-0, on Wednesday to stay four points clear of defending champions Celtic.

MySportsbook is considered one of the finest football betting sportsbooks according to several surveys performed by independent industry analysts considering such factors as payout accuracy and timeliness, overall quality of website, and bettor satisfaction.

MySportsbook is a large company with strong financial backing. Considered the best sportsbook for betting football online You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs.