Santa Anita Park Weekly Report (Oct 18-20)

Santa Anita Recap for Friday (10-18-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (8f, 5.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker and a last-to-first closer at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 30 feet).

Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Castle capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.  

Flavien Prat booted home the late double, and Keith Desormeaux saddled the early double. Abel Cedillo and Doug O’Neill teamed up for two wins.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $100,320, and multiple winning tickets paid $1,339.84 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $213,695 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Oct 18 Claims: Race 6 - Carnivorous ($80k, Steve Knapp). Race 7 - Catoca ($35k, Jeff Mullins). Race 8 - Donut Girl ($25k, Matthew Chew), Swirling ($25k, Santos R. Perez).

SA Full Card Highlights for 10-18-19
SA 2 GORKY PARK ($4.00), Exacta ($3.00)
Double (races 1-2, $42.40)
SA 3 UNION RIDE ($12.00)
Double (races 2-3, $30.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $64.60)
Double (races 3-4, $37.20)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $20.75)
SA 5 WIN OFTEN ($9.40)
Double (races 4-5, $13.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $51.30)
SA Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $118.70)
SA Early Pick 5 (races 1-5, $1,662.80)
Double (races 5-6, $28.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $11.85)
SA 7 Cyrielle/Catoca Exacta ($17.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $50.65)

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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (10-19-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (8.5f, 6.5f, 5.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile, a front runner at one mile, and front runner at 5.5 furlongs, and a presser/stalker at 5.5 furlongs (rail at 20 feet).

Flavien Prat is suddenly on a roll. He followed up a Friday double with a Saturday four-bagger. Exactly what you want to see with the Breeders’ Cup on the horizon. A riding double for apprentice J. C. Diaz Jr.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $110,613, and multiple winning tickets paid $1,737.96 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $239,019 when live racing resumes on Sunday, Oct. 20.

California Flag Handicap Recap (10-19-19) - Winner: Castle ($12.00)

I made Castle my best bet in this race. I love it when sharp barns claim quality runners, and confidently placed them in stakes races like this. Tribalist was the favorite, and he has always preferred Del Mar. Second choice What a View is a router, and both of those runners were a bit long in the tooth. Mark Glatt found the perfect spot for Castle. A not so tough turf sprint stakes race, and kudos to Abel Cedillo for putting him on the lead. He can ride a bit to say the least! He got vital early position on Grinning Tiger, and never let that one pass in a gritty neck victory. Those two dominated throughout and King Abner nipped What a View for the show. Tribalist was next, followed by My Friend Emma and Portando.

Oct 19 Claims: None.

SA Full Card Highlights for 10-19-19
SA 1 WARRIOR’S MOON ($4.60)
Double (races 1-2, $25.80)
SA 3 Boogalute/Break Away Gray Exacta ($4.80), Trifecta ($7.40)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $14.45)
SA 5 CLAIM OF PASSION ($4.00)
SA 6 CASTLE (SA Best Bet #2, $12.00)
Double (races 5-6, $25.00)
SA 8 BLUE SKY BABY ($9.20)
BEL 4 GUCCI FACTOR ($5.70), Exacta ($8.60)

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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (10-20-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (6.5f, 8f). The winning turf course running styles were two stalkers at one mile, a stalker at 5.5 furlongs, and a dueling front runner at one mile (rail at 30 feet).

Two more wins for red hot rider Flavien Prat. He rode eight winners this week (two on Friday and four on Saturday).

The Rainbow 6 pool was $141,231, and multiple winning tickets paid $5,803.72 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $271,355 when live racing resumes on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Sunny Slope Stakes Recap (10-20-19) - Winner: Fore Left ($6.20)

How in the world did Bob Baffert second timer Mo Hawk get bet down to less than even money in this 4-horse field? His winning Los AI debut was slow, and he was meeting Doug O’Neill’s stakes winner Fore Left. I thought Fore Left was just about a slam dunk in this spot, and he scooted straight to the front and was never headed in a neck victory. O’Neill’s other runner Strongconstitution was the second most likely winner in this race, and he chased the pace after a less than perfect start, and he was well clear of the rest in a solid runner-up effort. Not bad for his second start and first on dirt. Zimba Warrior gained 3rd late and Mo Hawk stalked the speed and had nothing left in the drive.

Oct 20 Claims: None.

SA Full Card Highlights for 10-19-19
SA 5 FORE LEFT ($6.20), Exacta ($10.50)
Double (races 4-5, $18.20)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $28.50)
SA EARLY PICK 4 (races 2-5, $91.60)

Article by Jarrod Horak
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Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 2019 Video Preview Featuring Omaha Beach

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Santa Anita Park Weekly Report 2019 (October 10-14)

Santa Anita Recap for Thursday (10-10-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at five panels, and a closer at one mile. (rail at 30 feet).

Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Just Grazed Me capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.  

Tyler Baze booted home a pair.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $67,830, and multiple winning tickets paid $18,116.16 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $82,759 when live racing resumes on Friday, Oct. 11.

Oct 10 Claims: Race 2 - I Belong to Becky ($16k, Peter Miller).

SA Full Card Highlights for 10-10-19
SA 5 Howbeit/Riding With Dino/Vastly Deep Trifecta (SA Best Bet #1, $17.80)

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Santa Anita Recap for Friday (10-11-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Four front running sprint winners on dirt (6f, 6f, 5.5f, 6f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at one mile, a pace presser at one mile, and an outside presser/stalker at one mile (rail at 30 feet).

Doug O’Neill saddled two dirt sprint winners.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $98,485, and multiple winning tickets paid $9,149.84 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $105,307 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Oct 11 Claims: Race 2 - Vegan ($40k, Bill Spawr). Race 5 - Top Brass ($32k, Bob Hess Jr.).

SA Full Card Highlights for 10-11-19
SA 2 Vegan/Freedom Ride Exacta ($6.40)
SA 4 Rineshaft/Truest Reward Exacta ($17.20)
SA 6 MOONLIGHT DRIVE (SA Best Bet #1, $10.80)
Double (races 6-7, $151.80)
SA 8 Heathers Gray/Kittyhawk Lass Exacta (SA Best Bet #2, $15.90)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $84.85)
KEE 9 Oleksandra/Morticia/Girls Know Best Trifecta ($18.40)

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Breeders' Cup Distaff 2019 Video Preview Featuring Midnight Bisou

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Santa Anita Park Weekly Recap (October 3-6)

Santa Anita Recap for Thursday (10-3-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at 6.5 furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a patient runner at one mile, a two stalkers at one mile (rail at 20 feet).

Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Omaha Beach capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.  

Tiago Pereira booted home a pair. Evin Roman and Vann Belvoir teamed up for two wins.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $86,939, and one winning ticket took down the entire jackpot to the tune of $144,893.

Oct 3 Claims: Race 2 - Rattle ($16k, Reed Saldana). Race 3 - Muthhila ($25k, Bill Spawr). Race 5 - Poster Girl ($62.5k, Bill Spawr). Race 7 - Bella Figura ($50k, Alfredo Marquez).

SA Full Card Highlights for 10-3-19
SA 3 Avalon Ride/Lucky Stepper Exacta ($208.40)
SA 4 SHEZA FACTOR ($5.20)
Double (races 3-4, $174.00)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $92.40)

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Santa Anita Recap for Friday (10-4-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at nine furlongs, a front runner at 5.5 furlongs, a front runner at one mile, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 20 feet).

Abel Cedillo won three races. Riding double for Geovanni Franco.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $58,656, and multiple winning tickets paid $305.70 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $13,430 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Oct 4 Claims: Race 8 - Combat Zone ($25k, Mark Glatt).

SA Full Card Highlights for 10-4-19
SA 1 PAPA TURF ($3.00)
Double (races 1-2, $6.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $7.30)
SA 7 Platinum Equity/Dukes Up Exacta ($5.10)
KEE 8 Engage/Whitmore Exacta ($44.70)

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Breeders' Cup Classic 2019 Video Preview Featuring Code of Honor & McKinzie

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Santa Anita Park 2019 Weekly Recap (Sept 27-29)

Santa Anita Recap for Friday (9-27-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (6.5f, 6.5f, 8.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile, a patient runner at one mile, an inside stalker at five panels, and a stalker at one mile.

Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Mongolian Groom capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.  

John Velazquez and Bob Baffert teamed up for two grade one wins in the juvenile ranks (Bast, Eight Rings). Phil D’Amato saddled two winners including Pee Wee Reese in the Eddie D Stakes (G3).

Chandelier Stakes (G1) Recap (9-27-19) - Winner: Bast ($2.40)

It was not easy but overwhelming favorite Bast got the job done, and I thought she ran well. The race shape completely changed after expected front runner Leucothea bobbled at the start and threw the rider. The pace really failed to develop after that, and Comical had a short advantage over Been Studying Her and Bast. There were three dirt routes on the day and this race by far had the slowest fractions (24.92, 49.54, and 1:13.98). Comical almost stole this one, but Bast pressed outside and got by the stubborn early runner to score by a neck. The top two were 3-lengths clear of K P Dreamin, and Been Studying Her was 15+ clear of Buyer’s Remorse. Bast remains my top ranked 2-year-old filly, and she looks like a solid threat in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1).    

Eddie D Stakes (G3) Recap (9-27-19) - Winner: Pee Wee Reese ($7.00)

Pee Wee Reese loves the Santa Anita turf course, and you have to like his early-pressing versatility. In this local prep for the BC Turf Sprint (G1), he chased inside, got first run, and held off an unlucky Eddie Haskell. The latter was shuffled back a bit from the inside post, and he stormed home from next-to-last to finish a clear 2nd. The top two ran well. Stormy Liberal just held 3rd over late runner Double Touch. Tribalist, Lombo, Boa Nova, and Mr Vargas trailed.

American Pharoah Stakes (G1) Recap (9-27-19) - Winner: Eight Rings ($4.40)

It looks like we have a solid BC Juvenile (G1) favorite. Eight Rings was so impressive in his debut, but I was not quite sure what we would get from him in this spot after he behaved badly and dumped his rider as the strong favorite in the Del Mar Futurity (G1). His new rider John Velazquez was not playing around in this spot. As soon as the gates opened, he shot straight to the front through fractions of 23.34, 47.06, and 1:11.71. He was clear throughout and the result was never in doubt. He increased his lead throughout and won by 6-lengths over inside stalker American Theorem. Storm the Court was a neck better than Express Train in the battle for 3rd, and they were followed by Shoplifted, Defense Wins, Fore Left, Nucky, and Collusion Illusion (pulled up, walked off). The winner was much the best, and the runner-up ran a quality race. The others never really got involved.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $114,213, and multiple winning tickets paid $2,568.74. There will be a jackpot carryover of $26,146 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Sept. 28.

SA Full Card Highlights for 9-27-19
SA 1 Gate Speed/Zorich Exacta ($8.40), Trifecta ($8.45)
SA 4 CURLIN’S JOURNEY ($8.40), Exacta ($11.10), Trifecta ($15.45)
Double (races 3-4, $30.40)
SA 5 BAST ($2.40)
Double (races 4-5, $11.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $10.05)
SA 6 Pee Wee Reese/Eddie Haskell Exacta ($9.30)
Double (races 5-6, $10.20)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $12.00)
SA 7 GROUND ATTACK ($21.80), Exacta ($29.70), Trifecta ($63.20)
Double (races 6-7, $75.80)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $41.45)
SA 8 Eight Rings/American Theorem/Storm the Court Trifecta ($66.00)
Double (races 7-8, $60.00)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $72.150

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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (9-28-19)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 8f, 6.5f, 9f). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner at one mile, a stalker at one mile, a stalker at a mile and a quarter, a front runner at a mile and a quarter, and a stalker at 5.5 furlongs.

Hat trick for Abel Cedillo (2 graded wins). Riding double for Flavien Prat. Training double for Richard Mandella, and both winners were 2-year-old first time starters at one mile on turf. Bob Baffert and Doug O’Neill both saddled two winners. Phil D’Amato saddled two graded turf route winners (Cleopatra’s Strike, Mirth).     

The Rainbow 6 pool was $143,185, and nobody had all six winners. Multiple winning tickets with five paid $381.96. There will be a jackpot carryover of $58,927 when live racing resumes on Sunday, Sept. 29.

John Henry Turf Championship (G2) Recap (9-28-19) - Winner: Cleopatra’s Strike ($20.60)

Cleopatra’s Strike was playable at 9-1. The consistent gelding with stalking speed looked like a bigger threat to finished 2nd or 3rd, but was definitely worth considering at that price. Acclimate set the pace as expected, but had to go fast from the outside post. He was rolling right along for a mile and a quarter race (22.79, 46.05, and 1:09.75). This was a strung out field, and the three runners behind Acclimate were in a good spot, along with United. Cleopatra’s Strike challenged Acclimate in the stretch, but the front runner was stubborn. In the end, Cleopatra’s Strike got clear by a length, and Acclimate would not let United pass him for the place. Oscar Dominguez, Ritzy A. P., and Grecian Fire were next, followed by Ya Gotta Wanna and The Street Fighter. Good race, and a good ride by Abel Cedillo. I don’t think he is going back to Golden Gate Fields any time soon.

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