Check out my Sunday (1-19-25) Santa Anita Park Race 8 analysis below.
SA 8 (G3 La Canada, 8.5f) – Post Time 6:07 PM ET
Primary – #1 ALPHA BELLA
Secondary – #6 Cavalieri, #4 Musical Mischief
Horse Comments:
#1 Alpha Bella (9-5) won the G3 La Prevoyante for Todd Pletcher at 12T last year, and she placed in five other stakes races prior to relocating to SoCal. John Sadler took over as her trainer and Hector Berrios rode her in the G2 Zenyatta Sept. 29. She was my top choice that day and she stumbled badly at the start, recovered to set the pace, and Sugar Fish ran her down late. Sadler’s Justify filly finished 9 lengths in front of show finisher Desert Dawn. She was training lights out prior to the Zenyatta and I picked her on top again in the G3 Bayakoa on the BC Saturday undercard, and she chased overwhelming favorite Hope Road and missed by a half-length. She puts blinkers back on, gets the services of Flavien Prat, and I like her early-pressing versatility.
#6 Cavalieri (8-5) made the lead in her flat mile debut and won by 2 lengths. She pressed the pace and won again as the popular choice second time out. Juan Hernandez stays put and he has been clicking with Bob Baffert recently, and she is a logical early-pressing threat from the outside post.
#4 Musical Mischief (2-1) won two races last year including the G2 Locust Grove Sept. 14. She flopped in the mud at less than 2-1 odds in the G3 Falls City Nov. 28. Umberto Rispoli is 29% with Michael McCarthy recently and this tactical mare is 3-for-5 with a runner-up finish at this distance.
Wagers:
#1 to win
Trifecta key 1/4-6
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)
Jan. 18 – Old Pal/Coalinga Road/On the Whim Trifecta ($272.00)
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