Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for Thursday (12-31-20)
Blue Norther Stakes
Quattroelle (IRE) sat a great inside trip under Tyler Baze. She sat patiently in 6th place, tipped out in the stretch, and rallied late to prevail by 3/4ths of a length over post time favorite Javanica. Carpe Fortuna was well clear of Pizazz for show honors.
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Carryover for Friday (1-1-21): None.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Thursday (12-31-20)
SA 2 Mariah Girl/Midnight Jamboree Exacta ($12.50)
SA 4 OSCAR NOD ($24.80)
Double (races 4-5, $324.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $211.75)
TP 5 SET PIECE ($6.60)
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Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for Friday (1-1-21)
Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2)
In this 6.5f turf sprint stakes, Hembree went last-to-first for Joel Rosario and Peter Miller. This was a highly competitive seven horse affair and Hembree saved all the ground and got a great inside run. True Valour (IRE) swung out and had the lead in the stretch but could not go with the winner late. Blitzkrieg stalked, led, and held 3rd by a 1/2 length over Texas Wedge. Chaos Theory raced wide and ended up 5th, and pace players Wildman Jack and P R Radio Star weakened.
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Carryover for Saturday (1-2-21): $37,070.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (1-1-21)
SA 1 GOALIE ($10.60)
SA 2 PAIGE RUNNER ($6.40), Exacta ($5.60)
Double (races 1-2, $35.00)
SA 3 Translate/Irish Aura/Sweet Devil Trifecta ($8.55)
Double (races 2-3, $12.00)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $16.05)
GP 9 Imprimis/Extravagant Kid Exacta ($8.60)
GP 10 GULF COAST (GP Best Bet, $6.40), Exacta ($27.20)
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Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for Saturday (1-2-21)
San Gabriel Stakes (G2)
This was the race I was expecting from Anothertwistafate. He added blinkers, stalked lone speed Bob and Jackie, and pulled clear to win by a very comfortable 2+ lengths under Joel Rosario. He is now a stakes winner on all-weather (listed), dirt (G3), and turf (G2), and I am sure Peter Miller’s goal is to make him a G1 winner. Bob and Jackie ran a winning race but was second best on this day. Next Shares nipped Multiplier for the show, and Bowies Hero and Cleopatra’s Strike were behind them. Post time favorite Count Again trailed throughout, eased in the stretch, and walked off.
Sham Stakes (G3)
Life Is Good dominated for much of the running, but was drifting out and goofing around in the lane, and safely held on by 3/4ths of a length over his stablemate Medina Spirit. It was 13-lengths back to show finisher Parnelli, and he was 6+ in front of Waspirant and Uncle Boogie. If you are leaping ahead to the Kentucky Derby, this was not the effort you were looking for. Life Is Good is still green and has the look of a miler and I was definitely less than wowed. He is still lightly raced and promising and remains a work in progress. Authentic was goofy early in his career as well, and Baffert did a great job with him in late summer/fall of 2020. Medina Spirit ran an excellent race in his second career start and can also continue to develop for Baffert. The West Coast horses are not as professional as the other top Derby hopefuls at this very early stage.
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Carryover for Sunday (1-3-21): $93,432.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (1-2-21)
SA 7 ANOTHERTWISTAFATE (SA Best Bet #1, $7.60), Exacta ($20.20)
Double (races 6-7, $57.60)
Double (races 7-8, $10.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $13.40)
GP 7 DRAIN THE CLOCK ($5.80) – Dr. Atlas
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Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for Sunday (1-3-21)
Santa Ynez (G2)
The favorite had every advantage in this race. Kalypso was the Baffert chalk, and she was turning back to a preferred sprint, and her early-pressing speed from the outside post just about guaranteed a clean journey. She battled with 30-1 longshot Brilliant Cut, and that one tried hard from the rail. Kalypso dueled outside and drove clear to win by a bit less than two lengths over her maiden stablemate Frosteria, with Brilliant Cut best of the rest in 3rd. Queengol was an even 4th, and Nasreddine had an uncomfortable start and ended up 5th. Exotic West had early trouble and never recovered.
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Carryover for Friday (1-8-21): $144,099.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (1-3-21)
SA 3 VEGAS KITTEN ($7.40), Exacta ($13.40)
Double (races 2-3, $37.40)
Double (races 3-4, $54.60)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $67.80)
SA 5 Lucky Peridot/Equal Measure Exacta ($10.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $52.50)
SA Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $209.70)
Article by Jarrod Horak
