Santa Anita Park Stakes Report (Dec 26-Jan 1)

Santa Anita Recap for Tuesday (12-26-23)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Four front running winners on dirt (6f, 7f, 7f, 7f). The other dirt winner pressed from 2nd. On the turf course, a 4-1 front runner scored in the flat mile opener, a last-to-first closer won the San Gabriel (G2) at 1 1/8 miles, a stalking favorite took the American Oaks (G1) at a mile and a quarter, a 5-2 stalker won down the hill, a 9-2 presser captured the Mathis Mile (G2), and a 10-1 front runner graduated in the flat mile finale.

Hat trick for Flavien Prat (sprints). Riding doubles for Antonio Fresu (turf route stakes), Edwin Maldonado (MSW), and Umberto Rispoli (turf routes). Mark Glatt saddled three winners and Prat rode two. Phil D’Amato saddled two stakes winners.

Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 12-26-23

Grade 2 San Gabriel (9T): Easter (FR) was 70 cents on the dollar and he towered over his five rivals. He was patiently handled as expected under Antonio Fresu, and he ran past them all to win by a comfortable length and a quarter. Missed the Cut waited for running room from off the pace under Ortiz Jr., and he nipped Tim Magico by a nose for the runner-up spot. War At Sea, Eastern Ocean, and Astronaut also ran. The final time was 1:47.60. Phil D’Amato saddled the winner and he paid $3.40 to win.

Grade 1 American Oaks (10T): Be Your Best (IRE) tried to steal this race under Ortiz Jr., but Anisette (GB) was just too classy and she ran away from the longtime leader in the stretch to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Be Your Best was second best and my top choice Musical Mischief stalked the pace from the outside post and completed the trifecta. Sakura Flavor (IRE) and Elounda Queen (IRE) also ran. Leonard Powell saddled the popular winner and she stopped the clock in 2:00.22. She paid $3.20 to win.

Grade 2 San Antonio (8.5f): Brickyard Ride set the pace as expected, but he did not figure to last. My top choice Newgrange pressed from 2nd, took the lead, and scooted clear to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Mixto, the longest shot on the board at 9-1, rallied for the place, and Brickyard Ride held the show. Beaten favorite Subsanador (ARG) and Stilleto Boy completed the order of finish. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the winner for Phil D’Amato and he paid $9.60 to win. The final time was 1:42.79.

Grade 1 Malibu (7f): This was a battle between stablemates Speed Boat Beach and Hejazi. The traded places on the lead for much of the running, and Speed Boat Beach asserted himself in the lane and was best by a length and a half. Hejazi ran a quality race in a clear runner-up finish, and my 10-1 value top choice Giant Mischief was best of the rest in 3rd. Damon’s Mound, Raise Cain, Fort Bragg, and Sharp Aza Tack also competed. Flavien Prat rode the winner for Bob Baffert and he paid $5.20 as the favorite. The final time was 1:21.70.

Grade 2 Santa Anita Mathis Mile (8T): Calm Sea made the lead and my top choice Watsonville got a great trip pressing outside. The latter hit the front and was immediately tackled by post time favorite Almendares (GB). Those two traded the lead in the lane and Almendares looked to be moving best, but Watsonville came again along the inside and prevailed by a nose. Dandy Man Shines (IRE) found his best stride late and picked up the show. Panic Alarm (IRE), Ah Jeez, and Calm Sea also ran. Antonio Fresu guided home the 9-2 winner for Mark Glatt, and the winning time was 1:34.55.

Grade 1 La Brea (7f): Daddysruby made the running from post 2 and was never headed. CA-bred filly Big Pond made one final bid but came up a nose short. Clearly Unhinged sat in midpack from an outer post and held off my 8-1 top choice Royal Spa for show honors. Fast and Shiny, Ice Dancing, Satin Doll, beaten favorite Howl, and Bangs also ran. Juan Hernandez booted home the 6-1 winner for Peter Miller and the final time was 1:23.06.

The $1 Pick 6 pool was $398,629 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $26,619.50. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $288.00.

Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Tuesday (12-26-23)
SA 1 Bigofromfresno/Moogie Son Exacta (SA Best Bet #1, $35.60)
SA 3 EASTER ($3.40), Exacta ($13.60), Trifecta ($28.80)
SA 4 JUDGE MILLER ($3.20)
Double (races 3-4, $5.80)
Double (races 4-5, $5.60)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $8.60)
SA 6 NEWGRANGE ($9.60)
Double (races 5-6, $12.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $26.20)
Double (races 6-7, $54.20)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $69.00)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $124.60)
Middle Pick 4 (races 5-8, $195.00)
SA 9 WATSONVILLE ($11.00), Exacta ($22.00)
Double (races 8-9, $33.80)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $104.20)
Double (races 9-10, $72.20)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $203.80)
Pick 3 (races 9-11, $595.60)

*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.

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Santa Anita Recap for Friday (12-29-23)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (6f, 6.5f). A stalker and a presser won the other two dirt races. On the turf course, a 7-1 closer graduated in the 9f opener, a 3-1 front runner tallied at 6f, and outside closer won the flat mile Blue Norther as the 2-1 favorite, and inside stalking favorite took the Eddie Logan at one mile, and an even money favorite broke his maiden in the flat mile finale (rail at 30 feet).

Riding doubles for Edwin Maldonado (sprints) and Umberto Rispoli (turf routes).

Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 12-29-23

Blue Norther (8T): They made my top choice Medoro the favorite based on his sharp turf sprint bow. In this flat mile affair, he was definitely best. He raced wide in midpack or so under Antonio Fresu, and he kept on coming in the stretch and edged past Chatalas in the late going to prevail by a neck. The latter sat a great tracking trip under Frankie Dettori and got first run, but he could not match strides with Medoro in the late stages. Mo Fox Givin was along for the show and Zona Verde (IRE) had everything go wrong under Juan Hernandez. He was supposed to be forwardly placed, but he threw his head at the start and Hernandez lost his iron, and that put him at the back of the pack. He finally got on track in the stretch but got bumped around and ended up a better than appears 4th. Antifona (FR), fading pacesetter April Vintage, Highlands, Hattie T, and Blue Oasis also ran. Peter Eurton saddled the winner and he paid $6.80. The final time was 1:35.80.

Eddie Logan (8T): Three scratches altered the race shape. Invincible, Practically Broke, and Stay Hot stayed in the barn, and 18-1 outsider Charge for Gold took up the early pacesetting duties and stayed around much longer than expected. Lord Bullingdon worked out a great inside tactical trip under Umberto Rispoli, and he found running room in the stretch and kicked away to win by two lengths. Charge for Gold held the place over late runner Twirling Point. Miracle Mark, Final Boss, and my disappointing top choice American Hope rounded out the order of finish. The latter was fractious at the gate, and he was rank under Prat, moved early while racing wide, and weakened in the lane. Michael McCarthy saddled the winner and he paid $6.80. The final time was 1:36.15.

The $1 Pick 6 pool was $132,090, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $1,117.80. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $28.40.

Dec. 29 Claims: Race 1 – Smooth Salute ($50k, Alfredo Marquez). Race 2 – Soul of Midnight ($16k, Librado Barocio), Stan From Malibu ($16k, Carla Gaines). Race 4 – Flatterwithjewels ($12.5k, Phil D’Amato), Irish Wahine ($12.5k, Gary Stute). Race 6 – Order and Law ($50k, Peter Eurton).

Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (12-29-23)
SA 5 MEDORO ($6.80)
Double (races 4-5, $27.80)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $103.60)
Double (races 5-6, $33.80)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $115.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $103.00)
SA 9 GUY NAMED JOE ($4.00), Exacta ($17.00)
Double (races 8-9, $23.00)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $69.60)
GG 7 Redstwirlingdancer/The Great Haynes Exacta ($27.40)
GG 8 Ramathorn/Singing N Danzing Exacta ($16.20)
$5 Golden Hour Double (SA 9, GG 8) – $42.50
$1 Golden Hour Pick 4 (SA 8, GG 7, SA 9, GG 8) – $131.90

*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.

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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (12-30-23)

Fast main track and good turf course. Two front running winners at seven panels on dirt (6f, 8f). A presser and two stalkers won the other three dirt races. On the turf course, a 4-1 dueling front runner won the Joe Hernandez (G2) at 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill course, a front runner stole the Robert Frankel (G3) at 1 1/8 miles, a stalking favorite graduated at one mile, and a 3-1 stalker earned his diploma at one mile.

Riding doubles for Geovanni Franco and Antonio Fresu (routes).

Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 12-30-23

Grade 2 Joe Hernandez (6.5f hillside): Forbidden Kingdom dueled on the lead with Dancing Buck. Those two battled from start to finish, and Forbidden Kingdom edged clear by a half-length in the lane and maintained that advantage all the way to the wire. Flavien Prat rode the winner and he paid $10.60 to win. Dancing Buck got in from the also-eligible list and was second best from the outside post. Turn On the Jets (IRE) stalked outside and landed the show by a neck over inside stalker Daniel’s Magic. My top choice I’m a Gambler (IRE) was bet down to favoritism and raced evenly, and he was followed by Balnikov (IRE), Lucky Score, Tahoe Sunrise, Johnny Podres, Front Run the Fed, Olympic Runner, and Peaceful Waters. Richard Mandella saddled the winner and he stopped the clock in 1:14.92.

Grade 3 Robert Frankel (9f turf): Angel Nadeshiko stole this one under Antonio Fresu. The fractions were 25.67, 51.16, 1:15.41, and 1:38.98. That first interior fraction of 25.41 was the key to success. She opened up by 2 lengths in the stretch and held off my top choice Lakota Spirit to win by 3/4ths of a length. Oakhurst, Yerwanthere (IRE), Rebel Girl, and Luminiferous completed the order of finish. Paddy Gallagher was the winning trainer and the final clocking was 1:50.69. Angel Nadeshiko paid $39.80.

The $1 Pick 6 pool was $125,770, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $3,732.50. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $74.90.

Dec. 30 Claims: Race 4 – Zimba Warrior ($20k, Bob Hess Jr). Race 9 – Elevado ($12.5k, Sean McCarthy), Lansdowne ($12.5k, Steve Knapp), Magnificent Ride ($12.5k, Salvador Naranjo).

Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (12-30-23)
SA 2 GRAND TIGER ($4.40)
Double (races 1-2, $28.40)
GG 9 YOU ENJOY MYSELF ($5.60)
$5 Golden Hour Double (SA 9, GG 8) – $77.00
GP 10 O’CONNOR ($9.20)

*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.

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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (12-31-23)

Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a 9-2 stalker won the flat mile opener, a 9-2 stalker graduated at one mile, a dueling front runner tallied as the chalk at 6f, a front running favorite captured the Lady of Shamrock at one mile, and a front runner at 8-1 earned his diploma in the flat mile finale (rail at 10 feet).

Hat trick for Juan Hernandez (2 turf).

Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 12-31-23

Lady of Shamrock (8T): Strong favorite Ruby Nell never had an anxious moment in this flat mile turf race for sophomore fillies. She easily made the lead and was quickly clear by 2 lengths under Edwin Maldonado, and she was hardly crawling (22.09, 45.59, 1:09.47). She was on cruise control throughout and tallied by 4 1/2 lengths. Justique rallied to finish a clear 2nd, and Irish Patsy came from last to pick up the show. Anacaro, Cliquish, and Princess Bettina also ran. Luminiferous scratched. Richard Mandella saddled the winner and she paid $2.40. The final time was 1:34.01.

The $1 Pick 6 pool was $201,145 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $4,659.00. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $45.10.

Dec. 31 Claims: Race 2 – Grazen in the Sun ($16k, Mark Glatt), Miss Commander ($16k, Gary Stute). Race 6 – Nauvoo ($12.5k, Librado Barocio).

Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday 12-31-23
SA 3 THIRTY CARATS ($11.00)
Double (races 2-3, $35.60)
SA 5 RUGELACH ($3.20)
SA 7 RUBY NELL ($2.40)
SA 8 GHOST OF MIDNIGHT ($3.80)
Double (races 7-8, $5.00)
Double (races 8-9, $38.40)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $47.20)
OP 9 ICE COLD (($8.80), Exacta ($21.00), Trifecta ($94.20)

*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.

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Santa Anita Recap for Monday (1-1-24)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 8f, 5.5f, . On the turf course, a 7-1 stalked graduated in the 6f opener, a 2-1 stalker tallied at one mile, a stalking favorite won at one mile, a 7-1 front runner was never headed at 6f, and a stalking favorite earned her diploma in the 6f finale (rail at 20 feet).

Juan Hernandez booted home a pair. Bob Baffert saddled two maiden winners including possible Derby trail player Imagination.

Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 1-1-24

Grade 3 Las Flores (6f): An odd group of five assembled for this less than stellar graded affair. Sweet Azteca, a second timer making her first start since May 2023, set the pace, and Hot Peppers, making her first start since September 2022, chased from 2nd. Those two were the favorites. CA-bred filly Chismosa stalked the pace, along with Violent Runner, and for some reason Lady T lost contact with the compact field. Sweet Azteca was in control turning for home but she drifted wide in the stretch and lost her forward momentum. Hot Peppers was resurgent inside and Chismosa ($18.60) plugged away between runners and edged clear to win by a length and a quarter. Hot Peppers was clearly second best in a race she probably needed, and Sweet Azteca held off a belated bid from my top choice Lady T. The latter almost certainly would have won this event if she ran her usual tactical race. Violent Runner faded to last. Kyle Frey ride the winner for Rafael DeLeon and the final time was 1:10.22 and I think I want to play against all of the runners exiting this race next time.

The $1 Pick 6 pool was $193,627 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $1,521.10. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $22.40.

Jan. 1 Claims: Race 3 – With Love ($50k, John Sadler). Race 6 – She’s My Niece ($32k. Manuel Ortiz Sr).

Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Monday (1-1-24)
SA 2 CLUBHOUSE BRIDE ($3.00), Exacta ($4.20), Trifecta ($8.20)
Double (races 2-3, $10.40)
SA 4 IMAGINATION ($2.80)
Double (races 3-4, $10.20)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $17.00)
SA 5 MARGOT’S BOY ($4.40)
Double (races 4-5, $7.40)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $22.20)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $40.20)
Double (races 5-6, $7.60)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $11.20)
SA 9 ALLURING ($4.20)
$5 Golden Hour Double (SA 9, GG 8) – $47.50
GG 7 YES HE CAN ($10.00), Exacta ($25.00)
GP 10 OTELLO ($5.40), Trifecta ($100.00)

*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.

Article by Jarrod Horak

Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my SANTA ANITA PARK full card picks.​​​