Santa Anita Recap for Friday (10-6-23)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. Stalking types won all four main track races on the card. On the turf course, a stalking favorite graduated in the 9f opener, a 26-1 stalker graduated at 6f, a 7-1 stalker scored at 6f, a 9-2 stalker tallied at 6f, and a 9-2 stalker broke her maiden in the flat mile finale (rail at 30 feet).
Hat tricks for Antonio Fresu (2 turf) and Ramon Vazquez (2 dirt). Peter Eurton saddled two maiden route winners and Fresu rode both.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $116,218 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $4,139.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $60.90.
Oct. 6 Claims: Race 2 – Nauvoo ($25k, Ian Kruljac), Santos to Wilson ($25k, Vann Belvoir), Smuggler’s Run ($25k, Andy Mathis). Race 6 – Noble Union ($20k, Jorge Periban).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (10-6-23)
SA 1 Star of the Night/Den of Equity/Bolt’s Broad Trifecta ($34.80), Superfecta ($73.40)
SA 2 SMUGGLER’S RUN ($4.60)
Double (races 1-2, $19.20)
SA 4 BENDETTIJOE ($6.20)
Double (races 4-5, $44.60)
SA 6 NOBLE UNION ($3.40), Trifecta ($16.20)
Double (races 5-6, $32.20)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $118.60)
KEE 9 Candied/V V’s Dream Exacta ($26.36)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (10-7-23)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 8.5f, 6.5f). On the turf course, a front running favorite scored from the inside post at 6f, a front running favorite won the Speakeasy at 5f, a 5-2 stalker graduated at one mile, midpack stalker Didia (ARG) won the Rodeo Drive (G2) at 1 1/4 miles as the favorite, and front running favorite Kissed by Fire ran them off their feet in the 6f finale.
Riding doubles for Hector Berrios and Antonio Fresu. Two more turf wins for red hot trainer Peter Eurton. He has been on a roll for months.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 10-7-23
Grade 2 Chandelier (8.5f): Chatalas underperfomed in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) second time out, but Tamara made everyone look bad that day. Glatt’s filly stretched out in this spot and she flattered Tamara. The latter beat Glatt’s filly by 12 lengths last time, but with Mandella’s BC Juvenile Fillies favorite sitting this one out, my top choice Chatalas got out there and controlled the pace from the inside post. Dua pressured the early leader through splits of 23.69, 47.97, and 1:11.88. Chatalas ($8.20) maintained a half-length lead under Antonio Fresu, and she would not relent and edged clear late to win by a length and a half. Todd Pletcher maiden Scalable rallied to grab the place spot by a neck over Dua. Pacific Rose, Gate to Paradise, Autumn Chill, Motet, Pink Whitney, and beaten favorite Laurent also ran. The final time was 1:44.28 and this was a win and you’re in race for the BC Juvenile Fillies. I don’t think Tamara has anything to worry about. She would have crushed this group.
Speakeasy (5T): Slider was 90 cents on the dollar and he was game in victory. He set the pace and my value top choice Dark Vintage (IRE) stalked the pace. The latter took a short lead when Slider ($3.80) drifted wide in the lane, but the latter forged ahead again and scored by a length and a quarter. Dark Vintage was clearly second best and April Vintage won a four-way battle for the show over Des Doigts, Bear River, and Always On Cay. Charge for Gold, Tranche, Mysticism, and Lord Prancealot also ran. The final time was 55.96.
Grade 2 Rodeo Drive (10T): Turnerloose got to the front from the inside post as expected, but she drifted out early and failed to relax sufficiently on the lead, and faded to last. We have seen this song and dance from her before. Didia (ARG) was the favorite and she relaxed beautifully under Vincent Cheminaud. Anisette (GB) was the second choice and her rider Umberto Rispoli put her in the race earlier and she was within striking range throughout. This one came down to the two favorites, but Didia ($4.20) was always moving like a winner and she bid outside and kicked clear to win by 1 3/4 lengths. The winner was clearly best in her first start since June 9 and she is capable of winning the BC Filly & Mare Turf. Sophomore filly Anisette held off Juncture (GB) to finish second by a neck. Closing Remarks just edged Anisette’s stablemate Neige Blanche (FR) for fourth. Symphony Perfect (IRE), Stoic Luna, and Turnerloose also ran. The final time was 1:59.79 and the winner finished fast.
Grade 1 American Pharoah (8.5f): A Baffert trainee figured to set the pace, but almost everyone thought Muth was that runner. No so fast. Wine Me Up set sail for the lead under Ramon Vazquez. Heavy favorite Muth was showing 21 and change speed in sprints, and it was nice to see him relax early while stalking the pace under Juan Hernandez. Wine Me Up carved out splits of 23.30, 46.49, and 1:10.22. Raging Torrent chased from second and El Magnifico was forwardly placed from the outside post, but he was getting out on the backside under Hector Berrios, and he readily backed up. Muth saved ground stalking the pace and Todd Pletcher’s maiden shipper Be You was in a good spot in midpack. Next Level lost all chance after stumbling badly at the start. Wine Me Up was up by a half-length for the opening half mile and got clear by a length and a half after six panels. Muth ($2.80) was always traveling smoothly and as soon as he found some running room, he moved out, came after his stablemate, and kicked away to win by 3 3/4 lengths in a strong performance. Wine Me Up was 5 1/4 lengths in front of clear show finisher Be You. Raging Torrent was another 6 1/4 lengths in front of Rothschild. Indespensable, Next Level, and El Magnifico completed the order of finish. The final time was 1:42.45 and Muth qualified for the Breeders’ Cup with this victory. He can definitely win the BC Juvenile on Nov. 3.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $182,271 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $471.60. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $12.40.
Oct. 7 Claims: Race 7 – Book Smart ($20k, Robert Hess Jr.), Elevado ($20k, Steven Miyadi). Race 10 – Secrets Told ($50k, Steve Knapp).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (10-7-23)
SA 3 CHATALAS ($8.20)
Double (races 2-3, $39.20)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $135.60)
SA 4 Slider/Dark Vintage Exacta ($11.40), Trifecta ($81.40)
Double (races 3-4, $24.20)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $74.20)
SA 6 STAY HOT ($7.80)
Double (races 6-7, $22.00)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $60.80)
SA 9 MUTH ($2.80)
Double (races 8-9, $6.40)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $22.00)
Double (races 9-10, $9.20)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $19.60)
SA Late Pick 4 (races 7-10, $50.40)
SA Late Pick 5 (races 6-10, $223.80)
$1 SA Pick 6 (races 5-10) – 5 out of 6 ($12.40)
$3 SA Turf Pick 3 (races 6, 8, 10) – $106.20
$3 SA Turf Pick 3 (races 6, 8, 10) – $26.40 (10 horse paddock scratch R10)
KEE 7 YUUGIRI ($5.76), Exacta ($14.88), Trifecta ($59.00)
Double (races 7-8, $69.56)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $209.84)
KEE 10 Up to the Mark/Master of the Seas/Set Piece/Annapolis Superfecta ($128.20)
KEE Pick 4 (races 7-10, $751.44)
$1 BC Challenge Pick 6 (KEE 7, SA 3, KEE 9, KEE 10, SA 8, SA 9) – 6 of 6 ($342.08)
$1 BC Challenge Pick 6 (KEE 7, SA 3, KEE 9, KEE 10, SA 8, SA 9) – 5 of 6 ($8.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (10-8-23)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at six furlongs on dirt. The other four main track winners stalked the pace. On the turf course, a 7-2 front runner went all the way from the outside post to graduate at 6f, a stalker scored from the outside post at one mile, midpack stalking favorite Endlessly won the Zuma Beach (G3) at one mile, front runner Dreamfyre stole the Surfer Girl (G3) at one mile, and midpack stalker Seal Team (GB) won the finale at 1 1/8 miles (rail at 10 feet).
Riding doubles for Antonio Fresu (dirt) and Umberto Rispoli (turf routes). Mark Glatt (dirt sprints), Michael McCarthy (turf routes), and Doug O’Neill (MSW) each saddled two winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 10-8-23
Grade 3 Zuma Beach (8T): This was by far the faster of the two flat mile juvenile turf stakes on Sunday, and you will see why when I break down the fractions. Michael McCarthy saddled three runners including strong favorite Endlessly. One of his other runners, Ngannou, a maiden second timer, made the running under Antonio Fresu (22.86, 46.27, 1:09.99). It looked like she might go all the way, but Endlessly ($3.60) sat in midpack under Juan Hernandez, and found his best stride in the lane and drove away to score by a comfortable 2 1/4 lengths. Ngannou was second best and won’t be a maiden much longer. Grand Mo the First rallied from last to complete the trifecta and was followed by Ace of Clubs, Mici’s Express, Formidable Man, Boltage, and overseas shipper Pour Dompter (FR). Endlessly, an Oscar Performance colt, is now 3-for-3. He is getting faster and will probably make his next start in the BC Juvenile Turf. Is he a legit BC contender? I won’t count him out at this early stage.
Grade 3 Surfer Girl (8T): Dreamfyre was bet down to 1.90-1 and she showed speed and determination. She got out there and backed down the pace under Hector Berrios through dawdling fractions of 23.55, 48.59, and 1:1:13.91. The early internal splits were 25.04 and 25.32, and everyone had to know that she would have something left for the drive. Buttercream Babe chased throughout from second under Ramon Vazquez, and Umberto Rispoli is a good judge of pace and he sensed the slow tempo, and he moved early aboard my top choice Soho. None of that mattered. Dreamfyre ($5.80) had something left as expected. She swatted away Soho and gamely fended off Buttercream Babe to prevail by a neck. The latter was clearly second best and Flattery stalked inside and grabbed show dough in a race that did not set up for her. Where’s My Ring rallied to edge Soho out of fourth, and Zona Verde (IRE), Angiolleta (IRE), Putt for Dough, and Sushi Sticks also ran. The final time was 1:37.11. Flattery and Soho might be worth following. The former won her first two starts including the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf. She needs some pace to chase. Soho was exiting a debut turf sprint win and tried to rally into tepid splits.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $194,872 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $3,589.90. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $64.70.
Oct. 8 Claims: Race 2 – Minedandrefined ($16k, Doug O’Neill). Race 9 – Wishtheyallcouldbe ($20k, Ron Ellis).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (10-8-23)
SA 3 MADISON RAE ($2.80)
Double (races 2-3, $52.20)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $260.80)
Double (races 3-4, $6.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $152.60)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $45.20)
SA 9 WISHTHEYALLCOULDBE ($9.00), Exacta ($40.40)
SA 10 SEAL TEAM (SA Best Bet #3, $7.40), Trifecta ($119.00)
Double (races 9-10, $42.00)
KEE 8 COMMITTEE OF ONE ($17.34), Exacta ($63.22)
Double (races 8-9, $36.62)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Monday (10-9-23)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winner at six panels on dirt, . On the turf course, a 6-1 closer won the flat mile opener, a 10-1 stalker scored at one mile, a front running favorite graduated at six panels, a 9-2 stalker from the inside post tallied down the hill, and a 6-1 closer captured the Swingtime Stakes at one mile (rail at 20 feet).
Umberto Rispoli booted home two turf sprint winners. Mark Glatt saddled two winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 10-9-23
Swingtime (8T): This was a competitive heat. Hamwood Flier (IRE), making his first start since December 2022, opened up a large early lead as the post time favorite. Speed is her game but fitness was a big question and she had nothing left when the real running began. Unbridled Mary chased from second and hit the front when the early leader faded. Freedom Flyer was in a position to pounce and Eddie’s New Dream was making up ground along the inside, but they would all take a back seat to Lucky Girl (IRE). The latter has always been tricky to ride but Joe Bravo is her preferred pilot and he got her to relax early. She got plenty of pace to chase and made the last run to score by a half-length. Freedom Flyer picked up the place at 13-1 odds and Unbridled Mary checked in third. Eddie’s New Dream crossed the line in fourth and was folled by Oakhurst, Present Moment (IRE), Uni Chiquitita (ARG), a fading Hamwood Flier, and Ankyrah. The final time was 1:34.07 and Lucky Girl paid $15.40 to win.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $130,694 and tickets with all six winners paid $69,819.90. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $953.50.
Oct. 9 Claims: Race 4 – Red Falcon ($50k, Doug O’Neill). Race 6 – Tahoe Secrets ($16k, Andrew Harris).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Monday (10-9-23)
SA 1 CALIFORNIA BAY ($14.00)
SA 2 COFFEE IN BED ($3.00), Exacta ($8.80), Trifecta ($16.20)
Double (races 1-2, $25.80)
SA 5 THERMAL ($4.80)
Double (races 5-6, $51.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Article by Jarrod Horak
