Santa Anita Recap for Friday (2-23-24)
Fast main track and good turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (6.5f, 8f). On the turf course, a 5-2 stalker graduated in the flat mile opener, a 5-2 closer scored at one mile, a 3-2 stalker tallied at 6f, and a 10-1 closer was placed first through disqualification in the flat mile finale (rail at 20 feet).
Dirt sprint riding double for Tyler Baze.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $109,202 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $7,292.50. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $98.90.
Feb. 23 Claims: Race 2 – Ferociously ($12.5k, John Sadler). Race 3 – Arrogates Spirit ($20k, Steve Knapp). Race 8 – Wishtheyallcouldbe ($20k, Hector Palma). Race 9 – Wine and Whisky ($20k, Mike Puype).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (2-23-24)
SA 2 ELEVADO ($8.20)
Double (races 2-3, $16.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $34.80)
SA 7 TIGERHON ($8.40), Exacta ($15.40), Trifecta ($176.60)
Double (races 6-7, $11.20)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $78.60)
GG 6 LLAMAS ($10.40), Trifecta ($261.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (2-24-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a front running favorite won the flat mile opener, a 7-2 front runner graduated at one mile, a front running favorite rallied at one mile, a stalking favorite won the Santa Ana (G3) at 1 1/4 miles, a 9-2 outside stalker tallied in a downhill sprint, and a stalking favorite scored in the 6.5f finale (rail at 10 feet).
Antonio Fresu (sprints), Kazushi Kimura (sprints), and Frankie Dettori (routes) each booted home a pair. Richard Mandella saddled two winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 2-24-24
Grade 3 Santa Ana (1 1/4 miles turf): Linda’s Gift was the favorite and she did not disappoint. Leisurewear (IRE) carved out the fractions and Linda’s Gift tracked that one intently under Tiago Pereira. She took over after a mile and cruised home by 3 3/4 lengths. Queen’s Command stalked from the inside post and was second best, and my top choice Khinjani (GB) came running for the show. Leisurewear weakened to 4th and was followed by Musical Rhapsody (IRE), Yerwanthere (IRE), Duvet Day (IRE), and Customer List (FR). The final time was 2:00.79. Linda’s Gift won the Red Carpet (G3) and Astra in November and December, and this was her third consecutive stakes tally.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $150,965 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $477.10. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $12.60.
Feb. 24 Claims: Race 5 – Cathkin Peak ($80k, George Papaprodromou). Race 8 – None Above the Law ($50k, Jorge Periban). Race 10 – American Cat ($25k, George Papaprodromou), Johnny Drama ($25k, George Papaprodromou).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (2-24-24)
SA 1 TWIRLING POINT ($6.40)
SA 2 LA PALOMA BLANCA ($4.80)
Double (races 1-2, $24.40)
Double (races 2-3, $37.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $181.20)
SA 4 MIDNIGHT LOVE ($12.60), Exacta ($36.80)
Double (races 3-4, $76.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $161.89)
SA 5 KINGS RIVER KNIGHT ($3.20), Exacta ($6.80)
Double (races 4-5, $25.60)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $134.40)
50 cent Early Pick 5 (races 1-5, $551.30)
Double (races 5-6, $25.00)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $91.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $21.00)
50 cent Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7, $57.90)
SA 8 JUDGE MILLER ($3.40)
Double (races 7-8, $8.00)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $39.20)
Double (races 8-9, $28.00)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $50.20)
SA 10 JOHNNY DRAMA (SA Best Bet #2, $4.00), Trifecta ($75.20)
Double (races 9-10, $31.00)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $58.20)
$5 Golden Hour Double (SA 10, GG 8) – $60.00
OP 10 Octane/Magic Tap Exacta ($40.20)
OP 11 TIMBERLAKE ($3.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (2-25-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at seven panels on dirt. On the turf course, a stalking favorite won the flat mile opener, a stalker tallied at 6 1/2 furlongs, a 5-2 front runner graduated at 6f, a 3-1 stalker scored at 6f, a 7-2 stalker won the Wishing Well on the downhill course, and a stalking favorite was placed first through disqualification in the MSW finale at one mile.
Hat trick for Umberto Rispoli (2 turf sprints). Hector Berrios booted home two maiden winners on turf. John Sadler saddled two maiden winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 2-25-24
Wishing Well (6.5T hillside): Ag Bullet showed no signs of rust in her first start since March 2023. She stalked the pace, hit the front, and edged clear to win by a length and a quarter over stalker Gracelund Gray. Miss Lizzy was along for the show at 9-1, and was followed by Lunar Impact (GB), Ice Dancing, School Dance, One Silk Stocking, Carmen Miranda, Phenom, and Violent Runner. The final time was 1:12.85, Umberto Rispoli guided home the winner for Richard Baltas.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $170,219 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $2,671.80. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $63.00.
Feb. 25 Claims: Race 1 – Comradery ($25k, Adan Farias). Race 7 – Sawsadee ($20k, Craig Dollase).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (2-25-24)
SA 1 COMRADERY ($4.20)
Double (races 1-2, $6.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $19.20)
SA 4 CRIMSON ROSE ($2.60)
Double (races 3-4, $6.60)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $11.40)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $75.80)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $48.60)
SA 7 ANDY CAN U HEAR ME ($8.80), Exacta ($47.00)
Double (races 6-7, $44.60)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $166.20)
Double (races 7-8, $47.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $127.20)
SA 10 CLEMENTS RIDE (SA Best Bet #2, $3.20), Trifecta ($49.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my Santa Anita Park full cards.
