Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (12-26-21)
Fast main track and off the turf. It was partly cloudy and 57 on opening day, but rain earlier in the week forced the turf races over to the main oval, including a trio of graded events. There were four front running winners at different distances (6f, 7f, 9f, 10f).
Four-bagger for Johnny V and three of those were aboard Bob Baffert runners. Michael McCarthy saddled two off the turf stakes winners (Law Professor, Queen Goddess).
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 12-26-21
San Gabriel Stakes (G3): Off the turf and run at 9f on fast dirt. Bob and Jackie ($12.00) made all the running in this 4-horse field and just lasted over my top choice Friar Road. The latter is a grinding sort with plenty of stamina and he just missed in a good effort. Ready Soul stalked and stayed in contention throughout, and he was well clear of Indian Peak. The final time was 1:53.51.
San Antonio Stakes (G2): Eight Rings set the pace, strong favorite Hot Rod Charlie chased, and Express Train stalked. The early leader and the chalk dueled, and Hot Rod Charlie grabbed a short lead, but Express Train ($16.40) got his nose down late to win a close one. Hot Rod Charlie lost a tough one and Eight Rings was clear of the rest. The final time for 8.5f was 1:44.82.
Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G3): Off the turf and run at one mile on dirt. Beyond Brilliant was the favorite and he set the pace. Law Professor chased from 2nd and those two dominated throughout. They battled the length of the stretch and Law Professor ($10.20) prevailed by a 1/2 length. Beyond Brilliant ran a winning race and was well clear of Tarantino and None Above the Law. The other four entrants never got seriously involved. The final time was 1:37.41.
La Brea (G1): The two favorites (Private Mission, Missy P) were nowhere in this extended sprint, and the three early runners dominated throughout. Kalypso ($19,.60) stalked from 3rd, took over in the stretch, and cruised home by 4+ lengths. Brilliant Cut chased from 2nd and stayed there at 20-1. Livingmybestlife carved out the fractions from the outside post and held 3rd. The winning time for 7f was 1:24.78.
Malibu (G1): There are no words for Flightline ($2.80). He took the lead on his own after a less than speedy beginning. Team Merchants was in front early and briefly, but Flightline just cruised past him and held safe by a length or so for the opening half-mile. Chasers like Baby Yoda were pushing to keep up, and you just knew Flightline was going to put on a show with Prat sitting motionless in the irons. He widened through the stretch without being asked and won by 11+ lengths in another spectacular performance. Baby Yoda held 2nd over late runner Stiletto Boy and the other four runners including Dr. Schivel were nowhere. The winning final time was a rapid 1:21.37. That was more than three seconds faster than the La Brea.
American Oaks (G2): Originally scheduled for turf and run at 10f on dirt. Queen Goddess ($31.20) set the pace and was clear throughout in a smart victory by 2+ lengths under Juan Hernandez. Nicest (IRE) stalked from midpack and emerged as the clear-runner up, and my top choice Fluffy Socks made a sustained run from last place to finish a clear 3rd in the 10-horse field. The biggest disappointment was beaten favorite Going Global (IRE). She made an early move and was up to 2nd with a quarter mile to run, but she weakened to 6th under Prat. She is better on turf. The final time was 2:04.72.
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $404,948, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $5,407.94. The jackpot carryover stands at $92,708.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (12-26-21)
SA 6 Express Train/Hot Rod Charlie/Eight Rings Trifecta ($65.00)
SA 10 FLIGHTLINE ($2.80)
Double (races 9-10, $7.80)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $111.60)
Double (races 10-11, $45.60)
Pick 3 (races 9-11, $177.40)
GG 10 TABLE FOR TEN ($10.80), Exacta ($36.40)
FG 11 Epicenter/Tejano Twist/Surfer Dude Trifecta ($142.80)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Monday (12-27-21)
Fast main track and good turf course through first six races. Seventh race was taken off the turf and run on a wet fast track, and the main track was sloppy for the last two races (final race off the turf). One front running winner at 8f on fast dirt, and another at 8f on wet fast dirt. On the turf course, an early moving closer won the 8f opener, a last-to-first closer scored at 9f, and a closer won at 6.5f (rail at 10 feet).
Main track hat trick for Abel Cedillo. Riding doubles for Juan Hernandez (turf routes) and Flavien Prat. Training doubles for Richard Baltas, Peter Eurton, and Doug O’Neill.
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $184,744, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $23.18. The jackpot carryover stands at $92,707.
Dec. 27 Claims: Race 4 – Mr. T’s Thirsty ($32k, Steve Miyadi). Race 6 – Mongolian Legend ($32k, Doug O’Neill). Race 8 – Charge Cash ($20k, Gary Stute), Ronamo ($20k, Lorenzo Ruiz), Squalatoro ($20k, Ed Moger Jr.).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Monday (12-27-21)
SA 2 Starship Defiant/Zahra Exacta ($16.60)
SA 7 WIDER THAN MOST ($6.20), Trifecta ($100.40)
Double (races 6-7, $11.80)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $118.00)
SA 8 CHARGE CASH (SA Best Bet #2, $6.40)
Double (races 7-8, $31.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $47.00)
SA 50 cent Late Pick 5 (races 5-9, $28.30)
SA 20 cent Rainbow 6 (races 4-9, $23.18)
FG 7 EXCESS MAGIC ($6.60)
FG 8 AUDREY’S TIME ($4.80)
FG 10 Chattalot/Underhill’s Tab/Blue Kentucky Trifecta ($408.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Article by Jarrod Horak
