Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for Saturday (4-17-21)
Mizdirection Stakes – Winner: Constantia ($21.40)
The pace figured to be swift and it was. Annangel (IRE) sped to the front and Superstition chased from 2nd. Post time favorite Leggs Galore did not have the smoothest getaway and she pressed outside. Annangel and Leggs Galore faded away, and Superstition struck the front and looked home free, but my value top choice Constantia motored from the back of the pack and rolled home to win by a length and a half under turf master Umberto Rispoli. Superstition was second best under Flavien Prat and Biddy Duke was best of the rest in 3rd. She’s So Special was next and Annangel and Leggs Galore trailed.
Californian Stakes (G2) – Winner: Royal Ship ($13.40)
This was a decent compact stakes route and two runners ended up dominating. Country Grammer got out there and set the pace under Abel Cedillo and Royal Ship (BRZ) chased from 2nd under Mike Smith. Those two kept pulling away from the other three entrants and the match race was on. It was a real battle all the way to the wire and Royal Ship fought hard and prevailed by a neck. Country Grammer ran a winning race and was 9+ clear of beaten favorite Independence Hall. The latter is clearly better around one turn and that has been known for quite some time. He was way overbet in this 9f affair. Magic On Tap and Growth Engine trailed.
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Carryover for Sunday (4-18-21): $197,942.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (4-17-21)
SA 5 CONSTANTIA ($21.40), Exacta ($24.60)
SA 6 Achilleus/Big Well Exacta ($11.80), Trifecta ($12.50)
Double (races 5-6, $52.60)
SA 7 CE CE ($5.00)
Double (races 6-7, $17.90)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $59.55)
SA 8 ROYAL SHIP ($13.40)
Double (races 7-8, $28.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $39.95)
SA 9 LA V. (SA Best Bet #2, $6.80), Exacta ($9.10), Trifecta ($14.85)
Double (races 8-9, $54.40)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $47.80)
SA Late Pick 4 (races 6-9, $183.40)
SA Late Pick 5 (races 5-9, $2,062.40)
KEE 9 SAY THE WORD ($7.20)
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Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for Sunday (4-18-21)
Tokyo City Cup (G3) – Winner: Tizamagician ($3.20)
Tizamagician was tons the best in this graded dirt marathon. Flavien Prat rode the winner and he never looked like a loser at any point. He confidently tracked Zestful, easily took over around the final turn, and pulled miles clear to score by nine lengths. Zestful held 2nd over Lure Him In. Ronamo was well back in 4th and Multiplier was injured and vanned off.
Kona Gold Stakes (G3) – Winner: Cezanne ($5.80)
Cezanne was sure ready to roll in his first start in 8+ months. Nobody beats Brickyard Ride to the early lead and he set a fast pace like he always does. Ax Man gave futile chase and Cezanne rated from the inside post under Prat, came after Brickyard Ride in the lane, and blew the doors off and stormed home to win by nine lengths. This was a big time return victory and this looked much more than a pace-aided win. The final time was a very fast 1:14.71, and Baffert has plenty of options for his highly regarded colt.
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Carryover for Friday (4-23-21): None. There was one winning Rainbow 6 ticket on April 18, and it paid $423,202.76.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (4-18-21)
SA 2 CURVETTE ($4.40)
SA 3 TIZAMAGICIAN ($3.20)
Double (races 2-3, $7.80)
SA 4 Rakassah/Anna Fantastic Exacta ($9.50)
Double (races 4-5, $11.80)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $7.65)
Double (races 4-5, $33.20)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $10.40)
SA Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $27.65)
Analysis by Jarrod Horak
