Check out my Saturday (1-18-25) Santa Anita Park Race 9 analysis below.
SA 9 (Unusual Heat Turf Classic, CA-bred, 9T) – Post Time 6:28 PM ET
Primary – #1 ON THE WHIM, #3 Old Pal
Secondary – #7 Aligato, #10 Coalinga Road
Horse Comments:
#1 On the Whim (5-1) was the beaten favorite from the outside post when finishing 8th of 11 (beaten 3 3/4 lengths) in an open OC-40k/1x affair at 8T Nov. 30. The 3-time local winner is back with CA-bred company and he upset the California Dreamin’ at 8.5T Aug. 3. Dean Pederson is 3-for-3 at SA and Tiago Pereira is 2-for-4 with this outfit recently.
#3 Old Pal (8-5) finished in the top three in all seven local turf starts (7 3-2-2). The late runner rallied for the show in an open OC-100k affair at 8T Nov. 17 and runner-up El Potente was a next-out winner. Antonio Fresu got acquainted with him last time and he captured the Snow Chief at this course/distance (May 2023).
#7 Aligato (6-1) makes his first start in 8+ months and the 8-year-old gelding is usually in the mix at this course (13 3-3-5) and distance (5 1-2-2). This is his fourth appearance in this race. He won it in 2022, was second in 2023, and third in 2024. He reconnects with Flavien Prat and should be closing in the lane.
#10 Coalinga Road (8-1) hit the board in 6 of his last 9 starts including a runner-up finish in the Bull Dog at this distance on dirt Oct. 13. The 8-year-old gelding has struck three times on turf and he won this race in 2023.
Wagers:
#1 to win
Exacta box 1-3
Trifecta 1-3/1-3-7-10/1-3-7-10
Recent Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Jan. 3 – Roll On Big Joe/For All Mankind/Slider Trifecta ($75.20)
Jan. 10 – Lush Lips ($6.20), Trifecta ($60.60)
Jan. 17 – Sharp Ride ($4.20), Exacta ($12.20), Trifecta ($37.40)
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