Santa Anita Recap for Friday (1-31-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at six furlongs on dirt. On the turf course, a 2-1 stalker graduated in the 8f opener, a 1.70-1 stalker scored at 6.5f, a 4-1 midpack stalker tallied at one mile, and a 1.80-1 midpack stalker won the flat mile finale (rail at 30 feet).
Frankie Dettori (turf routes) and Asa Espinoza (dirt sprints) both booted home a pair. George Papaprodromou saddled two winners.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $105,171 and nobody had all six winners. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $1,046.80. There will be a Pick 6 carryover of $56,187 when live racing resumes Saturday.
Jan. 31 Claims: Race 8 – Mission Beach ($50k, Anthony Saavedra).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (1-31-25)
SA 2 DISCREPANCY ($6.60)
Double (races 1-2, $21.00)
SA 3 GRUBAUER ($2.40)
Double (races 2-3, $9.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $33.20)
SA 4 ROBIN’S TOUGH LOVE ($5.60), Exacta ($10.80)
Double (races 3-4, $10.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $46.00)
Double (races 4-5, $15.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $31.60)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $115.80)
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5, $376.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (2-1-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f). On the turf course, a stalking favorite won the 9f opener, a closer from an outer post rallied to win down the hill, stalking favorite Rashmi won the G3 Megahertz at one mile, stalking favorite El Potente won the G3 Thunder Road at one mile, and a last-to-first closer got up by a nose from the outside post in the flat mile finale.
Riding doubles for Hector Berrios and Umberto Rispoli (turf). Bob Baffert (dirt) and Richard Mandella (sprints) both saddled two winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 2-1-25
Grade 2 Santa Monica (7f dirt): This 4-horse affair was full of quality. Hope Road set the pace and post time favorite Kopion chased from 2nd. Richi (CHI) stalked inside and Splendora stalked outside. Kopion ($4.40) got past Hope Road and was much the best by 4 1/2 lengths. Hope Road was second best and Richi was 3rd and Splendora was last. Antonio Fresu rode the winner for Richard Mandella and she is 4-for-4 around one turn. Fractions: 22.67, 45.04, 1:08.75, 1:21.27.
Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes (8f dirt): Juvenile champion Citizen Bull made his much anticipated first start as a 3-year-old and he did not disappoint. He bobbled briefly but was still quick enough to make the lead under Martin Garcia. Clock Tower made an early move and came after the leader after four panels, but that bid fizzled out under Kent D. Citizen Bull ($3.80) kicked clear again and was clearly best by 3 3/4 lengths. My top choice Rodriguez stalked the pace, dropped back, and came again to finish a good 2nd. Madaket Road stalked from the inside post and finished 7 3/4 lengths in front of Clock Tower. Valentines Candy trailed throughout. Bob Baffert saddled the top three finishers. Fractions: 23.27, 47.06, 1:10.99, 1:23.52, 1:36.71.
Grade 3 Megahertz (8f turf): Omaha Girl set the pace and betting favorite Rashmi ($5.80) chased from 2nd, took over, and won by 2 1/2 lengths. Mahina worked out a nice closing trip to secure the place. She saved ground, moved out, and outfinished late runner Liguria for the place by a half-length. Sareeha (IRE) stalked, loomed in the stretched, and flattened out in a disappointing 4th place finish. Omaha Girl weakened to 5th and Big Hug and Mucho Macho Girl trailed. Frankie Dettori rode the winner for Jonathan Thomas. Fractions: 22.95, 46.77, 1:10.82, 1:22.64, 1:34.19.
Grade 3 Thunder Road (8f turf): Air Force Red carved out the fractions and race favorite El Potente ($5) chased from 2nd, got clear in the stretch, and bounded away to win by 3 lengths under Hector Berrios. Seal Team (GB) broke through the outside gate pre-race, was reloaded, and worked his way inside and closed for the place in good effort. Air Force Red weakened to 3rd and was followed by Zio Jo, Cabo Spirit, Astronomer, Lammas (GB), Wizard of Westwood, and Packs a Wahlop. Dan Blacker saddled the winner. Fractions: 22.63, 46.17, 1:09.43, 1:20.91, 1:32.39.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $393,804 and tickets with six winners paid $4,936.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $67.60.
Feb. 1 Claims: Race 1 – El Rey Rey ($50k, Hector Palma). Race 2 – Mr. Big Heart ($16k, George Papaprodromou), Stan From Malibu ($16k, Isidro Tamayo). Race 10 – Heart Headed ($50k, Hector Palma).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (2-1-25)
SA 2 STAN FROM MALIBU ($2.80)
Double (races 1-2, $13.40)
Double (races 2-3, $6.80)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $28.80)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $13.80)
SA 7 PILOT COMMANDER ($2.40)
Double (races 6-7, $7.00)
SA 8 EL POTENTE ($5.00), Exacta ($14.80)
Double (races 7-8, $8.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $19.40)
Double (races 8-9, $12.00)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $18.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (2-2-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a 5-1 midpack stalker won the flat mile opener, a 9-1 ground saving closer won at 8f, an 18-1 dueling front runner graduated at 6.5f, a 5-1 closer went last-to-first at 9f, and a 15-1 closer won the hillside finale (rail at 10 feet).
Main track hat trick for Juan Hernandez and Bob Baffert saddled all three.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 2-2-25
Grade 3 Las Virgenes (8f dirt): Lolo Le Plume and Our Moonlight scratched, and that left three runners in this Kentucky Oaks 2025 points race. Just as Fancy and overwhelming favorite Tenma battled on the lead and second time starter Cipriani was far behind those two early. Tenma ($2.40) put away her pace rival and won by 6 1/2 lengths. Cipriani finished up nicely for the place and Just as Fancy was far behind in third. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert and this was her third graded triumph. Fractions: 23.05, 47.45, 1:12.56, 1:25.63, 1:38.31.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $146,765 and tickets with six winners paid $78,364.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $666.00.
Feb. 2 Claims: Race 5 – Supermazel ($5k, Jeff Bonde), Warrens World ($5, Charles Treece). Race 9 – Just Deal ($32k, Peter Miller).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (2-2-25)
SA 3 TENMA ($2.40)
SA 5 WARRENS WORLD ($5.00)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my Santa Anita Park full cards.
