Santa Anita Park Pick 6 Carryover Analysis (3-6-26)

A $45,602 Pick 6 carryover is on the table at Santa Anita for Friday, March 6, and that creates a great opportunity to take a shot with a compact ticket. For this sequence I’m sticking with the same philosophy I’ve used in recent carryover videos — building a disciplined $16 ticket that still gives coverage in the most competitive legs.

For this analysis I’m using the data from the Complete Digest, which provides projected figures and pace analysis from the Today’s Racing Digest handicapping team.

The sequence runs from Race 4 through Race 9, so let’s walk through each leg and identify the best betting approach.

Race 4 — Allowance Optional Claiming

6 furlongs (Dirt) – California-bred 3-year-olds

Six furlongs at Santa Anita tends to favor early speed.

Race Breakdown

Tommy Norris looks like the likely pacesetter. His maiden win last time came at this same six-furlong trip, where he posted a strong 125 pace rating and 113 final time rating while controlling the tempo.

Southern Melody has already defeated Tommy Norris, finishing just under a length ahead in a maiden race last fall. After that effort he tried stakes company and now returns off the layoff with the rider who guided him to victory.

Fionella is interesting dropping out of several stakes attempts and cutting back in distance, but he’ll need to show he can keep up with the early pace.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Update (3-2-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share my Exceptional 11 Derby contenders (3-2-26). 

I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (25 10-4-3).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Kentucky Derby 2026 Report (3-2-26)

There were three road to Kentucky Derby prep races last week and Commandment edged Chief Wallabee in Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 28, and that was the fastest of the three points races. In this report, I will recap the Gotham, Fountain of Youth, and Rebel Stakes, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.

I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my Runaway Horse video channel, and through 25 points races, my top choices have 10 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 3 show finishes. The road to the Derby continues with the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 and the field will be announced on March 4. The San Felipe Stakes on March 7 at Santa Anita Park has a field of seven and Brant is the likely favorite.

San Felipe field (race 8): 1 – Flashy Fritz, 2 – Start the Ride, 3 – Secured Freedom, 4 – Brant, 5 – Potente, 6 – So Happy, 7 – Robusta.

Plutarch, ranked eleventh on my Kentucky Derby list last week, exited the Robert Lewis with body soreness and is off the Derby trail. He is expected to remain in light training.

Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Race Recaps

Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct (2-28-26): Race favorite Iron Honor and Crown the Buckeye mixed it up on the front end from the start and it was a two-horse race throughout. Iron Honor ($3.88), making just his second career start and first since December, got the better of his more experienced rival by a length (90 BSF). Crown the Buckeye tried hard throughout and ended up 6 1/2 lengths in front of closing show finisher Right to Party. Exhibition Only (4th), Balboa (5th), Hammond (6th), Dirty Rich (7th), and Fourth and One (8th) also ran. Creole Chrome scratched. Manny Franco rode the winner for Chad Brown and he might run next in the Wood Memorial. Fractions: 23.09, 46.30, 1:11.45, 1:24.25, 1:37.94. 

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (3-1-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (3-1-26).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (3-1-26)

There were three Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep races this week and second time starter She Be Smooth announced her presence in an emphatic last-to-first victory in the Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28. In this report, I will recap the Busher, Davona Dale, and Honeybee, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks points race on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and through the first 23 points races, my top choices have 11 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Santa Ysabel at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, March 8.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Recaps

Busher Stakes at Aqueduct (2-28-26): The track was listed as good and Current Yield and Interstatelovesong dueled on the lead, and race favorite Paradise chased from third. Interstatelovesong took the lead and Paradise ($4.72) immediately pounced on the new leader and edged clear to win by 3 3/4 lengths (78 BSF). Nycon stalked from fourth and got past Interstatelovesong by a neck for the place. Current Yield weakened to fourth and Blazing Brat trailed throughout. Manny Franco rode the winner for Brad Cox. Fractions: 23.38, 46.75, 1:11.56, 1:24.64, 1:38.53. 

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Santa Anita Park Handicapping Report (Feb 27-March 1)

Santa Anita Recap for Friday (2-27-26)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f). On the turf course, the opener was declared a no contest due to a loose horse, a last-to-first closer scored at 8f, a dueling front running favorite scored at one mile, a 3-1 presser tallied at 6f, and a midpack stalking favorite earned his diploma in the flat mile finale (rail at 20 feet).

Four wins for Emisael Jaramillo (3 turf routes). Jeff Mullins saddled two turf winners.

The $2 Pick 6 carryover pool was $1,162,766 and tickets with six winners paid $6,716.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $86.40. 

Feb. 27 Claims: Race 2 – Deep Blue ($10k, Victor Garcia), Willow Cove ($10k, Jesus Uranga). Race 6 – Coralgableskaylin ($10k, Ryan Hanson), Maniae ($10k, Genaro Vallejo). Race 9 – Biggiebiggiebiggie ($50k, Phil D’Amato).

Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (2-27-26)
SA 4 Bandolero/Bossing Mo Exacta ($9.60)
SA 5 MAYACAMA ($6.60)
SA 7 PROOF HE RIDES (SA Price Play, $8.60)
SA 8 Cherokee Nation/Winston Ave Exacta ($10.60)
Double (races 7-8, $27.80)
SA 9 BIGGIEBIGGIEBIGGIE (SA Best Bet, $5.20)
$5 Late Double (races 8-9, $42.00)
$3 Late Pick 3 (races 7-9, $153.30)
Bonus Stakes:
OP 8 NERAZURRI ($2.60), Trifecta ($36.60)

*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.

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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (2-28-26)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running sprint winners on dirt (6f, 5.5f). On the turf course, a stalking favorite won the 8f opener, an 8-1 presser tallied at one mile, a 5-2 front runner graduated at 6f, stalking favorite Thought Process captured the Buena Vista (G2) at one mile, and an 8-1 front runner earned her diploma in the flat mile finale.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Oaklawn Park: Rebel Stakes + Honeybee Stakes 2026 Analysis

On Sunday, March 1, I’m breaking down two major Kentucky prep races at Oaklawn Park: the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes (Race 9), a Kentucky Oaks 2026 points race, and the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes (Race 11), a Kentucky Derby 2026 points race.

For this analysis, I’m using the Complete Digest, which provides the Fire Number, CPR, Fast Fig, and Final Time Ratings that shape my pace and class projections.

Race 9: Honeybee Stakes (G3)

Three-Year-Old Fillies – 1 1/16 Miles – Main Track

We have a competitive 10-horse field. From a pace standpoint, this race sets up for a presser. At 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn, pressers win 41.7% of the time, compared to 16.7% for front-runners. That profile is key.

Contenders Overview

Explorer (Top Pick)

Explorer has tactical speed and fits the ideal pressing profile. Two of her last three races featured big pace ratings (159 and 156), including a strong runner-up finish after doing the pace dirty work.

She was dominant in a seven-furlong stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year and followed that with a gritty second routing. With Flavien Prat aboard and a strong recent workout (59 flat, best of 45), she looks ready.

From post 9, she should sit just off the pace and get first run turning for home.

My Betting Takeaway: Explorer’s tactical speed plus Oaklawn’s pressing bias makes her my top choice.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest