Check out my Santa Anita Park race 3 analysis for 2-18-24 below.
SA 3 (Str-Alw-50k, 8T)
Primary – #7 FIRSTTIMEINFOREVER, #2 Control Function
Secondary – #5 Katerini, #3 She’s a Joker, #4 In Your Face
Wagers: #7 to win, Exacta box 2-7, Trifecta key 7/2-3-4-5, Trifecta 2-3-4-5/7/2-3-4-5
Comments: #7 Firsttimeinforever (3-1) seems to be on the upswing for Powell, She graduated in a turf route at DMR last summer, and tailed off in her next three starts. She was a good third on Nov. 12, and switched to Dettori and ran on nicely for the win Jan. 1. She owns the best late pace ratings and can run past these. #2 Control Function (5-2) moved to the Baltas barn and was best of the rest in third in a similar course/distance spot Jan. 12. That was her first start since March 2023 and she showed improved tactical speed that day. She can win this if she takes a step forward. #5 Katerini (4-1) should be in the mix but is just 2-for-16 with seven runner-up finishes on turf. She missed by a neck and was a length in front of Control Function last time. #3 She’s a Joker (4-1) won two turf local sprints in 2022 and completed the trifecta in 4 of 7 starts since. She returned from a layoff and was a close show finisher in a similar local turf sprint Jan. 27. She landed the show in both starts at 8T and Prat climbs aboard. She might move forward in her second start after a layoff. #4 In Your Face (5-1) pressed above par fractions before weakening at 8T Jan. 12. She fired trifecta shots in 5 of 7 starts prior to her last (2 wins), and her winning rider Hernandez should have her in a contending spot throughout. Eurton’s mare might get a favorable race shape and can show more in her second start after a layoff.
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