My suggested wagers cashed for over $1,000 on Big Cap Day at Santa Anita on Sunday, March 3, 2024. I tabbed a trio Pick 3’s, and the $1 Golden Hour Pick 4 and the $5 Golden Hour Double. See the full card highlights and analysis below, and check out my daily full card analysis at Santa Anita Park on my Shop Page.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (3-3-24)
SA 6 IMAGINATION ($3.80)
Double (races 5-6, $20.40)
SA 7 Du Jour/Easter Exacta ($28.20)
Double (races 6-7, $19.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $205.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $83.20)
SA 10 RUBY NELL (SA Best Bet #3, $3.60)
Double (races 9-10, $55.00)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $191.80)
GG 8 J T’S WATCH ($13.20)
$1 Golden Hour Pick 4 (SA 9, GG 7, SA 10, GG 9) – $356.30
$5 Golden Hour Double (SA 10, GG 8) – $61.00
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
SANTA ANITA PARK full card + GG bonus races for Sunday (3-3-24)
By Jarrod Horak
SA Weather: Mostly Cloudy. High 59. SA Best Bets (races 7, 8, 10)
SA Early Pick 5 and Late Pick 5 Spread Tickets included in .pdf file
SA Early, Middle, and Late Pick 4 tickets included below
$1 SA Pick 6 tickets included below
$3 SA Turf Pick 3 tickets included below
SA Rolling Double & Pick 3 tickets included below
$1 Golden Hour Pick 4 & $5 Golden Hour Double tickets included below
March 3 Picks:
SA 1 (OC-50k/1x, CA-bred, 8T)
Primary – #4 SUSHI STICKS, #8 Loretta Lynn
Secondary – #5 Asada Fries, #7 Safa
Wagers: #4 to win, Exacta box 4-8, Trifecta 4-8/4-5-7-8/4-5-7-8
Comments: #4 Sushi Sticks (3-1) rallied to win her 8T bow as the favorite at DMR last summer. She had a troubled trip and ran last at 27-1 odds in the Surfer Girl (G3) second time out, and added blinkers and landed the show in the Gold Rush on all-weather ground in December. She returned to turf and ran on for the show in the Cal Cup Oaks Jan. 13. Winning favorite Grand Slam Smile kept on going in the Cal Cup Oaks and this filly was finishing best of all. She adds lasix and Prat stays put, and she should be closing in the lane. #8 Loretta Lynn (2-1) dueled and edged away from Safa in her local dirt sprint bow in October. She stretched out, raced wide, and missed by a half-length as the chalk in the Soviet Problem second time out. Grazen is a decent turf sire and dam has tossed a turf winner. She drilled a 5f bullet for this Feb. 25 and profitable turf rider Fresu takes the call. #5 Asada Fries (5-2) stalked and graduated as the 3-2 favorite at DMR last November. She switched to dirt and finished third in the Soviet Problem in December, and returned to turf and landed the place in the Cal Cup Oaks last time. Her winning rider Hernandez stays put and a stalking trip is anticipated. #7 Safa (4-1) graduated by 9 lengths as the 1-2 favorite in a dirt sprint Jan. 6, and switched to turf and rallied to miss by a neck at 6T Feb. 16. She tries a route of ground for the first time and Gary Stute is 4-for-13 at the current stand.
SA 2 (Str-OC-32k, 6.5f)
Primary – #6 TOP GUN TOMMY
Secondary – #5 Disco Ball, #3 Princip
Wagers: #6 to win, Exacta 6-5, Trifecta 6-5-3
$1 Early Pick 4 (races 2-5): 6/2-6-7-8/3/1-5-6-8 ($16)
$1 Early Pick 4 (races 2-5): 6/2-6-7-8/1-3-5-6/5 ($16)
$1 Early Pick 4 (races 2-5): 3-5-6/2-6-7-8/3/5 ($12)
Comments: #6 Top Gun Tommy (8-5) and #5 Disco Ball (9-5) were separated by a neck in a $25k claiming race at this course/distance Jan. 5. Disco Ball was the beaten 3-2 favorite that day, and he is 2-for-19 overall and 0-for-7 at this course and distance. The early-pressing gelding likes picking up minor awards. At the other end of the spectrum, Top Gun Tommy is a 9-for-24 win type. He won his last four starts and has been popular at the claim box recently. Kristin Mulhall is his new trainer and she excels first after the claim, and his winning rider Rispoli stays put. #3 Princip (4-1) won his last two starts at six panels on dirt with Hernandez in the saddle. The sharp gelding will probably stalk the pace but he followed each win with a loss and might regress again.
SA 3 (MSW, 8f)
Primary – #8 LEEZA, #6 Den of Equity
Secondary – #2 Kelly’s Out, #7 Lady Claypoole
Wagers: #8 to win, Exacta box 6-8, Trifecta 6-8/2-6-7-8/2-6-7-8
Comments: #8 Leeza (5-1) is a $200k Collected filly for profitable debut trainer Glatt, and dam has produced six turf winners. Prat takes the call and she had a relatively fast local gate work on Feb. 23 (5f in 59 flat – 2nd best of 37). #6 Den of Equity (5-2) settled for minor awards in all five starts. Jack Steiner is her new trainer and Rispoli got to know her in a runner-up finish in a similar local turf route at 1 1/8 miles last October. She is the fastest horse on paper. #2 Kelly’s Out (4-1) was 3rd of 10 in her 7T debut in Ireland last spring and the winner clicked right back. She was 5th of 16 at 8T second time out and the 2-3 finishers were next-out winners. Mullins has her now and Dettori takes the call. This is her first start in 9+ months. #7 Lady Claypoole (5-1) removes blinkers in her second SoCal start for Baltas. Fresu stays put and she sports two bullets for this. She rallied to hit the board in a pair of MSW turf routes last year.
SA 4 (Clm-16k/2L, 8f)
Primary – #3 BENDETTIJOE, #6 Take Action
Secondary – #5 Ship and Scam, #1 Syntactic
Wagers: #3 to win, Exacta box 3-6, Trifecta 3-6/1-3-5-6/1-3-5-6
50 cent Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7): 3/5/1-2-4-5/1-2-3-6-8 ($10)
50 cent Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7): 3/1-5-6-8/1-2-4-5/2 ($8)
50 cent Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7): 1-3-5-6/5/1-2-4-5/2 ($8)
$1 Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7): 3-6/5-8/1-5/2-6 ($16)
Comments: #3 Bendettijoe (5-2) ran two quality flat mile races at SA. He stalked and graduated by 4 3/4 lengths last October, and was clearly second best in a $25k/2L affair Jan. 20. He turned back and was a flat fourth in a $32k/2L extended sprint Feb. 17. He is back at his winning distance and his new rider Dettori is 2-for-4 with Cerin. #6 Take Action (7-2) earned his diploma in a local dirt sprint last fall. He was third in a $25k/2L sprint in December, and switched to turf and landed the show again at 6.5T Jan. 5. He stalked and finished a flat 6th of 9 as the beaten chalk at 6T Jan. 28. He stretches out and returns to dirt, and Kimura is 3-for-3 with Mandella recently. #5 Ship and Scam (4-1) stretches back out and returns to dirt. He hit the board in 3 of 5 starts at this distance, and his lone win was in a local extended sprint Jan. 19. Maldonado stays put and he has been clicking with O’Neill recently. #1 Syntactic (6-1) ran a better race Feb. 3. That was his second start with blinkers and he set the pace from the inside post and finished third. Fresu stays put and he shows a profit with O’Neill, and he might try to wire the field from the inside post.
SA 5 (OC-50k/1x, 8T)
Primary – #5 CROSBY BEACH, #8 Truly Quality
Secondary – #1 Tesoro, #6 Genius Jimmy
Wagers: Exacta 5-8, Trifecta key 5/1-6-8, Superfecta 5-8/5-8/1-6/1-6
$1 Pick 6 Ticket (Races 5-10): 5-6/1-2-4-5/2-6/2/1-8-9/6 ($48)
Comments: #5 Crosby Beach (8-5) won at this course, distance, and level for McCarthy in October and Glatt claimed him for $50k that day. He exits back-to-back show finishes at the $80/2x level. His new rider Dettori is 4-for-10 with Glatt recently and the drop might do the trick. His early-pressing versatility should serve him well in this spot. #8 Truly Quality (4-1) added blinkers and came running for the place in a similar local turf route Feb. 3. This race might not set up for him but the fairly reliable closer should be finishing at a hint of a price. #1 Tesoro (6-1) exits an improved runner-up finish in an all-weather sprint at GG. He has struck twice at this distance on turf and should save ground stalking the pace. #6 Genius Jimmy (8-1) makes his first start since a fading 8th of 9 at 34-1 odds in the 2023 San Felipe (G2). He added blinkers and lasix in a front running maiden win at 9T last February. Prat rides and he is 2-for-5 with +ROI layoff trainer McCarthy, and this one will probably impact the pace.
SA 6 (G2 San Felipe, 8.5f)
Primary – #5 IMAGINATION, #1 Scatify
Secondary – #2 Wine Me Up, #4 Mc Vay
Wagers: #5 to win, Exacta box 1-5
Comments: #5 Imagination fired exacta shots in all four starts. He wired the field in his local flat mile maiden win Jan. 1, and stalked Maymun and passed that one in the stretch, but Maymun came back on him and prevailed by a neck. This colt finished 10 1/2 lengths in front of the show finisher last time, and he projects an outside tactical trip under his new rider Dettori. #1 Scatify chased from an outer post and graduated by a half-length in his LRC sprint bow late last year. He set the pace and was best of the rest in third behind Nysos and Wine Me Up in the G3 Robert Lewis at one mile Feb. 3. Berrios stays put and he should show speed from the inside post. #2 Wine Me Up wired the field in his sprint bow at DMR last summer, and he dropped all four stakes starts since. He was second in the G1 American Pharoah and G3 Robert Lewis, and he should impact the pace under his winning rider Hernandez. #4 Mc Vay is a $1.25 million Constitution maiden for Shirreffs. He improved with a clear runner-up finish behind impressive winner Maymun in his second career start Jan. 20, and raced wide and was a well-beaten fourth in the Robert Lewis last time. #3 Nysos towered over this field on paper but Baffert called an audible and decided to keep him in the barn. He will now target the SA Derby.
SA 7 (G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile, 8T) – SA Best Bet
Primary – #2 EASTER, #6 Du Jour
Secondary – #3 Dandy Man Shines, #8 Goliad, #1 Prince Abama
Wagers: #2 to win, Exacta 2-6/2-3-6, Trifecta 1-2-6-8/1-2-6-8/3
50 cent Late Pick 4 (races 7-10): 2/2/1-8-9-10-11/4-6-8-11 ($10)
50 cent Late Pick 4 (races 7-10): 2/2-3-5-7/1-8-9-10-11/6 ($10)
50 cent Late Pick 4 (races 7-10): 1-2-3-6-8/2/1-8-9-10-11/6 ($12.50)
$1 Late Pick 4 (races 7-10): 2-6/2-5/1-9/4-6 ($16)
$3 Turf Pick (races 7, 9, 10): 2/1/4-6-8-11 ($12)
$3 Turf Pick (races 7, 9, 10): 2/1-8-9-10-11/6 ($15)
$3 Turf Pick (races 7, 9, 10): 1-2-3-6-8/1/6 ($15)
Comments: #2 Easter (9-5) has a wicked turn of foot. I picked him on top in the restricted Lure at this course and distance last fall, and he impressively ran down Bally’s Charm to win by a half-length. He was previously trained by Graham Motion, and he moved to the D’Amato barn and rolled to graded victories in the Seabiscuit (G2) and San Gabriel (G2). He beat Missed the Cut last time and that one returned to win the Grade 3 San Marcos Feb. 10. Fresu rides him well and he could easily run past these. #6 Du Jour (3-1) rallied to miss by a neck in this event last year. He got back on the beam in the restricted Wickerr last summer, and won again in the Del Mar Mile (G2). He ended his 2023 campaign with an unplaced finish in the BC Mile. #3 Dandy Man Shines (8-1) is a consistent closer. He fired trifecta shots in his last seven starts and should be finishing under his regular rider Rispoli. #8 Goliad (4-1) is a razor sharp 7-year-old gelding. He ran off through quick splits and won by a half-length in a local optional-calming race at one mile Jan. 7, and opened up a giant lead and coasted home by 4 lengths in the Thunder Road (G3) Feb. 3. Kimura rides him well and he is the one to reel in. #1 Prince Abama (6-1) makes his first start since winning the G3 San Marcos at 10T (February 2023). He might need the race and probably wants more ground, but he has had some success at this distance. D’Amato shows a profit with this type of layoff runner and Dettori is his new rider.
SA 8 (G1 SA Handicap. 10f) – SA Best Bet
Primary – #2 HIGHLAND FALLS, #5 Newgate
Secondary – #7 Newgrange, #3 Mixto
Wagers: #2 to win, Trifecta key 2/3-5-7, Trifecta 2-5-7/2-5-7/3, Superfecta 2-5/2-5/3-7/3-7
Comments: #2 Highland Falls (3-1) is 3-for-4 with a show finish for Brad Cox, and he still has upside. This conditioner saddled Fair Grounds shipper Warrant to a runner-up finish as my top choice in this race in 2022. This colt owns quality late pace ratings and Geroux is 2-for-2 with him. His sire Curlin was a multiple G1 winner and dam Round Pond won multiple graded races including the BC Distaff. He probably fits with these and might offer a hint of value. #5 Newgate (4-1) should be coming up to a top effort in his third start after a long layoff. He needed his return vs. crack sprinter Big City Lights, and he stalked the pace and finished a solid second as the beaten favorite in the San Pasqual (G2) at a mile and an eighth last time. Newgrange got loose through slow splits last time and this one was only beaten a length. He reconnects with his winning rider Dettori and he should work out a decent tactical trip. #7 Newgrange (5-2) has some things to like but I am not sure about the 1 1/4 miles distance. He was in similar form and came up empty in last year’s Big ‘Cap after winning the San Pasqual (G2). He is 5-for-7 at SA and won the San Antonio (G2) and San Pasqual (G2) in his last two local stakes starts. He should be forwardly placed from the outside post under Victor Espinoza. #3 Mixto (6-1) finally picked up his maiden win in his seventh career start in a flat mile race at DMR last November. He rallied for the place in the G2 San Antonio in his first start vs. winners, and showed decent stretch energy in a show finish in the San Pasqual last time. Fresu rides him well and he wins races with O’Neill, and this one should be within striking range throughout. He is just 1-for-9 and win would be a bit of a surprise, but I can see him hitting the board at a price.
SA 9 (Alw-1x, 6.5T hillside)
Primary – #1 REAL FIRE, #9 Just Nails
Secondary – #8 Don’t Ju Forget, #11 Summer Lake, #10 Getthemoney
Wagers: #1 to win, Exacta box 1-9, Trifecta 1-8-9/1-8-9-10-11/1-8-9-10-11
$1 Golden Hour Pick 4 (SA 9, GG 7, SA 10, GG 8): 1-8-9-10-11/5-6/4-6/3-6 ($40)
Comments: #1 Real Fire (6-1) rallied to win a pair of races at this course and distance last year under Sunday’s rider Rispoli, and this pilot is 5-for-5 with Knapp recently. She is capable of winning this race if the pace heats up. #9 Just Nails (12-1) moved to the O’Neill barn and had an uncomfortable trip in her first start in 5+ months Feb. 3. I picked her on top in her 5T maiden win last summer and she might show more at a price in her second start after a layoff. She removes blinkers and should be forwardly placed under her winning rider Berrios. #8 Don’t Ju Forget (7-2) is a quality turf sprinter for Peter Miller. She rallied to beat local state breds at 6T Jan. 5, and rallied to miss by a half-length at 6T vs. open company at 15-1 odds Feb. 3. She has won at this distance before and her winning rider Prat stays put. #11 Summer Lake (4-1) moved to the Carla Gaines barn and returned from a long layoff to miss by a neck at 8T last October. She graduated vs. state bred MSW foes as the favorite at 8T in November, and got loose under Dettori and rolled to a sharp 5-1 win vs. CA-bred entry level foes at this course/distance Feb. 3. #10 Getthemoney (6-1) should be all over the pace in her first start in 9+ months, and this is also her first turf attempt. Dam has produced a turf winner and Koriner shows a profit first turf and dirt/turf. She drilled a half-mile bullet for this at Los Al on Feb. 25, and her new rider Hernandez is a quality turf pilot.
SA 10 (G2 Buena Vista, 8T) – SA Best Bet
Primary – #6 RUBY NELL, #4 Bellabel
Secondary – #11 Mouffy, #8 Closing Remarks
Wagers: #6 to win, Exacta box 4-6, Trifecta 4-6/4-6-8-11/4-6-8-11
$5 Golden Hour Double (SA 10, GG 8): 6/3-4-6-8 ($20)
$5 Golden Hour Double (SA 10, GG 8): 4-6-8-11/6 ($20)
Comments: #6 Ruby Nell (7-2) looked like the main speed in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (2) Jan. 27, but she rated through average splits under Dettori and just did garner the show. She is 4-for-5 with a runner-up finish at SA, and is 3-for-4 at one mile on turf. She reconnects with her winning rider Maldonado and she should be all over the pace in this spot. #4 Bellabel (4-1) has not finished out of the trifecta since August 2021. She won two stakes races in 2022 and returned from a long layoff and wired the field as the favorite in the G3 Megahertz Feb. 3. Prat is 2-for-2 with her and she owns running style versatility. #11 Mouffy (5-1) won both of her turf route attempts last year including the Ellis Park Turf. She shipped to SA and was second by a length in the Megahertz (G3) at 8T Feb. 3. Jonathan Thomas excels with the blinkers off move and Dettori is 1-for-1 with this barn recently. Let’s see if she can work out a trip from the outside post. #8 Closing Remarks (5-1) raced wide and was flat from the outside post in the Megahertz last time. Hernandez strings along and the multiple graded winner might get a better setup today.
Rolling Daily Double & Pick 3 Contenders – in order of preference:
1 (4-8-5-7)
2 (6-5-3)
3 (8-6-2-7)
4 (3-6-5-1)
5 (5-8-1-6)
6 (5-1-2-4)
7 (2-6-3-8-1)
8 (2-5-7-3)
9 (1-9-8-11-10)
10 (6-4-11-8)
ROLLING DAILY DOUBLE/PICK 3 WAGERING STRATEGIES
For Rolling Doubles and Pick 3 tickets, key the top choice in each race to all other contenders. See examples below:
Double (Race 1-2):
Ticket 1 (4-6)
Ticket 2 (4/3-5-6)
Ticket 3 (4-5-7-8/6)
Double (Races 2-3):
Ticket 1 (6-8)
Ticket 2 (6/2-6-7-8)
Ticket 3 (3-5-6/8)
Pick 3 (Race 1-3):
Ticket 1 (4-6-8)
Ticket 2 (4/3-5-6/2-6-7-8)
Ticket 3 (4-5-7-8/6/2-6-7-8)
Ticket 4 (4-5-7-8/3-5-6/8)
GOLDEN HOUR RACES FROM GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
GG 7 (OC-62.5k/2x, 8f)
Primary – #6 KENNEBEC, #5 Bletchley Park
Secondary – #4 Love Candy, #3 Mother’s Prayer
Wagers: #6 to win, Exacta box 5-6, Trifecta 5-6/3-4-5-6/3-4-5-6
Comments: #6 Kennebec (5-2) exits back-to-back flat mile wins as the favorite vs. $32k claimers. The sharp stalker steps up and might be able to make it three straight. #5 Bletchley Park (9-5) went last-to-first in a local entry level win at this course/distance Jan. 13, and controlled the pace and won by a head vs. this kind Feb. 3. The versatile gelding is in for the $62.5k tag and this has the look of another slow early/fast late event.
GG 8 (Clm-6250k, 8f)
Primary – #6 J T’S WATCH, #3 Sugar Beets
Secondary – #8 Buttonwood Tree, #4 Bronze Warrior
Wagers: #6 to win, Exacta box 3-6, Trifecta 3-6/3-4-6-8/3-4-6-8
Comments: #6 J T’s Watch (3-1) rallied for the win as the chalk in a similar local route Jan. 12, and was a flat 5th in a starter optional-claiming sprint Feb. 17. The speed did not come back to him last time, and he is back in a $6250k route for Bonde and should make his presence felt in the lane. #3 Sugar Beets (5-2) went last-to-first in a $12.5k event last September, and landed the show in his next two starts. He was 4th, 5th, and 7th in three subsequent outings, and dropped to this level and ran on for the show as the beaten favorite Feb. 11. That last race was a step in the right direction and he might be rounding back into form.
