Check out my Thursday (12-26-24) Santa Anita Park Race 6 analysis below.
SA 6 (G2 Laffit Pincay Jr., 8.5f) – Post Time 4:33 PM ET
Primary – #6 KATONAH, #7 Tarantino
Secondary – #4 Express Train, #5 Lammas
Horse Comments:
#6 Katonah (3-1) went 4-for-7 in 2023 including a victory as the favorite in the Pleasanton Mile (1 mile 70 yards). He returned from a layoff of a bit more than a year and stalked the pace and was clearly second best in the San Diego (G2) July 27. In his last three G1 starts, he was 7th of 8 in the Pacific Classic, 4th of 6 in the California Crown, and 5th of 13 in the BC Dirt Mile. He adds blinkers and likes this oval (8 3-1-2), and he fired trifecta shots in all three starts at this distance. Frankie Dettori sticks with him and a stalking trip is expected, and he is fast enough to win this.
#7 Tarantino (7-2) has been in fine form since Peter Eurton claimed him for $40k July 20. He battled on the pace and narrowly prevailed in back-to-back dirt routes on Aug. 24 and Oct. 26, and dueled and held the place in the G3 Native Diver Nov. 23. Edwin Maldonado rode him well in his last pair and he should make his presence felt from the outset.
#4 Express Train (4-1) stretched back out in his second start of the year and landed the show in the G2 San Diego July 27. The 7-year-old son of Union Rags won the G3 Native Diver in 2021 and captured the G2 San Antonio later that year. He took down the G1 Big ‘Cap in 2022, missed all of 2023, and returned with a solid show finish in the listed Kona Gold at 6.5f on April 27. The 4-time local winner drilled a 5f bullet for this at DMR on Nov. 22 and sports a trio of local moves for this. Hector Berrios is his new rider and he is 3-for-6 with John Shirreffs. He has not won a race since March 2022 and has lost a step, but he is still fast enough to make an impact vs. this group.
#5 Lammas (8-1) is 5-for-8 this year and he can run on anything (all-weather, dirt, turf). Hernandez hops aboard the sharp, versatile gelding, and he fired a 5f bullet for this at Pleasanton Dec. 20.
Wagers:
#6 to win
Exacta box 6-7
Trifecta 6-7/4-5-6-7/4-5-6-7
Recent 2024 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Dec. 1 – Scotland ($12.92), Exacta ($78.94)
Dec. 6 – Kale’s Angel ($9.20), Exacta ($17.00)
Dec. 7 – Tony Eclipse ($6.20)
Dec. 10 – Lansdowne/Meant for Me Exacta ($14.20)
Dec. 11 – Ejtimaa ($5.20)
Dec. 12 – Ashima ($9.00), Exacta ($15.20)
Dec. 13 – Flashy Lass ($2.20)
Dec. 14 – Corningstone ($6.80), Exacta ($15.60)
Dec. 18 – Pass the Baton/Shot of Courage/Trusty Rusty Trifecta ($146.60)
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