Santa Anita Recap for Friday (2-4-22)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at seven panels on dirt. On the turf course, a stalker won the 10f opener, a closing FTS scored at 6f, two stalkers tallied at 9f, and a stalker captured the flat mile finale (rail at 20 feet).
Hat trick for Flavien Prat. Mario Gutierrez and Doug O’Neill teamed up for a pair of maiden claiming sprint wins.
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $168,483, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $58.90. The jackpot carryover stands at $352,408.
Feb. 4 Claims: Race 3 – Pretty Rena ($50k, John Sadler). Race 4 – Bossy Soul ($10k, Steve Knapp), Peace pipe ($10k, Jonathan Wong), Take a Leap ($10k, Steve Miyadi).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (2-4-22)
SA 4 TAKE A LEAP ($3.20)
Double (races 3-4, $28.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $134.00)
Double (races 4-5, $6.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $52.80)
SA 6 DIXIE’S TWO STENTS ($4.00), Exacta ($9.00)
Double (races 5-6, $6.80)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $13.60)
SA 7 Dicey Mo Chara/Evening Sun Exacta (SA Best Bet #1, $35.40)
Double (races 6-7, $31.20)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $30.60)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $68.60)
GG 8 ROYAL ’N RANDO ($8.80), Exacta ($35.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (2-5-22)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running sprint winners on dirt (6f, 6f, 7f). On the turf course, a closer won the flat mile opener, a stalker won the next 8f race, a stalker won down the hill, and a closer won the 6,5f finale.
Riding doubles for Juan Hernandez and Flavien Prat. Training doubles for Bob Baffert and Ryan Hanson.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 2-5-22
Thunder Road (G3): Post time favorite Subconscious let this one slip away. He stumbled at the start, chased from 2nd, looked poised to take over, but drifted in when he should have been kicking clear. He straightened up but it was too late. Late runner Count Again ($7.60) found his best stride in the lane and drove home to score by a half-length. Ready Soul edged Delaware (GB) for 3rd. Early leader Sniper Kitten weakened to 5th and overseas shipper Hurricane Cloud (GB) trailed throughout.
Santa Monica (G2): This seven panel affair was over early. Merneith ($7.60) had a sharp break and was sent to the lead by Maldonado, and that was all she wrote. She stayed in front and turned away BC F&M Sprint (G1) winner Ce Ce to score by a comfortable three lengths. The latter broke from post 2 and was steered outside. Espinoza tried to make a run at the leader around the final turn but could never make serious inroads. The 1-2 favorite was clearly second best and Kalypso chased from the inside post and was best of the rest in 3rd.
San Pasqual (G2): Eight Rings got to the front as anticipated, but Victor Espinoza got aggressive with Express Train ($5.20) and put him in the race early. The latter was always traveling best and took the lead and got a fresh challenge from Law Professor. Michael McCarthy’s improving runner tried to go with the chalk in the lane but was not able to cut into his leading margin. Express Train finished full of energy and rolled home by 3-1/4 lengths. Law Professor stalked from the outside post and was clearly second best. Early leader Eight Rings weakened to 3rd and was followed by Spielberg, Kiss Today Goodbye, and American Theorem.
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $221,225, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $5,686.46. The jackpot carryover stands at $403,050.
Feb. 5 Claims: Race 3 – California Street ($50k, Tim Yakteen). Race 4 – Awesome Rhythm ($30k, Paul Aguirre). Race 5 – Big Fish ($50k, Bob Hess Jr.). Race 9 – Midnight Special ($20k, Steve Knapp).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (2-5-22)
SA 2 BIG SWEEP ($3.40), Exacta ($6.80), Trifecta ($17.80)
Double (races 1-2, $21.00)
SA 3 SHAAZ ($2.60)
Double (races 2-3, $4.80)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $26.40)
Double (races 3-4, $6.80)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $12.20)
SA 8 Express Train/Law Professor Exacta ($16.20)
AQU 8 EARLY VOTING ($4.60), Trifecta ($815.00)
GP 9 WHITE ABARRIO ($14.00), Trifecta ($140.80)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (2-6-22)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Duelers and front runners captured all six dirt races (6f, 8f, 7f, 6f, 8f, 6.5f). On the turf course, a last-to-first closer won the 9f opener, a front running maiden graduated at 8f, and a stalker from the inside post scored at 6.5f (rail at 30 feet).
Flavien Prat guided home three winners. John Velazquez and Bob Baffert teamed up to win both dirt route graded stakes. Phil D’Amato saddled a pair of turf route winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 2-6-22
Las Virgenes (G3): This one was over before it began. Gracelund Gray has a brief early lead but overwhelming chalk Adare Manor ($2.80) pressed the issue, took over early, and blasted her three rivals by a baker’s dozen in a scintillating effort. My top choice Queen of Thorns gave futile chase and ultimately landed the place. Miss Everything gained the show over tiring early leader Gracelund Gray. John Velazquez booted home the Bob Baffert trainee, and the final time was 1:37.11.
Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3): Johnny V and Baffert were at it again. Messier ($3.20) got to the front from the inside post and held a short advantage through six panels in 1:11.32. He let it out a notch after that and that was the ballgame. He coasted through the stretch and ended up a mile clear at the end (15 lengths to be exact). Surface switcher Cabo Spirit chased the pace and tried hard throughout in a clear runner-up finish. Messier’s stablemate Wharton was best of the rest in 3rd and disappointing second choice Sir London chased and weakened to 4th. Happy Jack trailed throughout. The final time was 1:42.89 and this was a legit effort, but Baffert trainees are barred from earning Derby points. Messier, a son of Empire Maker, was bred in Canada and that makes him eligible for the Queen’s Plate if his connections opt to go in that direction.
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $290,338, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $75.46. The jackpot carryover stands at $469,519.
Feb. 6 Claims: Race 4 – Dutch Bus ($20k, Tim Yakteen).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (2-6-22)
SA 2 Unsolved Mystery/Muy Chistosa Exacta ($22.20)
SA 4 PARTYOFSIXTEEN ($6.60)
Double (races 3-4, $12.00)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $88.00)
SA 5 JACK SIXPACK ($7.80), Trifecta ($394.00)
Double (races 4-5, $34.20)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $52.80)
50 cent Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $84.70)
SA 6 Quick Buck/Heaven’s Music Exacta ($11.40), Trifecta ($45.80)
Double (races 5-6, $19.60)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $70.00)
SA 7 Taming the Tigress/Little Miss Ellie Exacta ($10.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $30.00)
SA 8 MESSIER ($3.20)
Double (races 7-8, $4.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $7.40)
Double (races 8-9, $11.00)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $15.80)
50 cent Late Pick 4 ($8.40)
50 cent Late Pick 5 (races 5-9, $48.75)
20 cent Rainbow 6 (races 4-9, $75.46)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Article by Jarrod Horak
