Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (1-13-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, an even money stalker graduated from the outside post at 6f, an outside pace prompter scored as the favorite in the Cal Cup Oaks at one mile, a midpack stalking favorite won the Sunshine Millions F&M Turf Sprint on the downhill course, and a front running favorite took the Unusual Heat Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles.
Flavien Prat booted home a pair in turf sprints and Steve Miyadi saddled both. Steve Knapp saddled two winners on the main track.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 1-13-24
Cal Cup Derby (8.5f): This competitive 5-horse affair was won by Mici’s Express, and Umberto Rispoli gave him a good ride. The winner stalked inside, moved out, and was grinding away in the lane. He edged clear late and won by a length and a half. Stolen Treasure pressed outside, grabbed a short lead, and was a clear 2nd over front running even money favorite Last Call London. Gentlemen’s Club and Wild Jewels also ran. Steve Knapp saddled the winner and he paid $13.00. The final time was 1:46.75.
Cal Cup Oaks (8T): Grand Slam Smile was best as the chalk. She prompted the pace from the outside post, edged clear in the lane, and won by 2 1/4 lengths over outside stalker Asada Fries. My 4-1 top choice Sushi Sticks rallied from last to just grab the show over Prancingthruparis. Frank Alvarado rode the winner for Steve Specht, and she paid $6.20. The final clocking was 1:36.59.
Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint (6.5T hillside): Three horses had a big look at the top prize in the lane, and the one with the best trip prevailed. Chancery Way got a great outside draw and made the lead. Rose Maddox stalked inside and Stay and Scam stalked wide. It came down to those three. Chancery Way drifted out in the lane and Rose Maddox took full advantage under Flavien Prat, and she beat Chancery Way by a nose. Stay and Scam was another nose back in 3rd, and she may have been best but could not quite overcome her wide journey. Chismosa found her best stride late and was another half-length back in 4th. Steve Miyadi saddled the winner and she paid $4.40 as the betting favorite. The final time was 1:13.45.
Cal Cup Sprint (6f): The Chosen Vron was a complete standout on paper. All he had to do was catch Brickyard Ride. The latter hit the front early as expected and stayed there for quite some time, but The Chosen Vron made his move in the lane and smartly kicked away to score by 2 1/4 lengths. Brickyard Ride was clearly second best and Geezer was best of the rest in 3rd. Principe Carlo and Moose Mitchell also ran. Hector Berrios booted home the winner for Eric Kruljac, and he paid $2.10. The final time was 1:09.06.
Unusual Heat Turf Classic (9T): Kings River Knight was the favorite and he had everything his own way on the front end. Juan Hernandez smartly steered the chalk around the turf track and he held off Carmelita’s Man and my top choice Aligato to score by a half-length. The runner-up rallied from last, and Aligato closed widest of all. John Sadler saddled the winner and stopped the clock in 1:48.02. He paid $4.20.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $208,115, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $1,019.50. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $21.80.
Jan. 13 Claims: Race 3 – Court Snort ($16k, Leonard Powell).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (1-13-24)
SA 2 Divine Feminine/Never Seen Before/Top of My Game Trifecta ($72.80)
SA 8 THE CHOSEN VRON ($2.10)
Double (races 7-8, $5.00)
Double (races 8-9, $6.40)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $11.00)
GG 9 HAVAKASHREADY ($4.40)
$5 Golden Hour Double (SA 9, GG 9) – $37.50
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
