Santa Anita Recap for Friday (4-25-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a stalking favorite won the 6f opener, a 5-1 stalker won at one mile. A stalking favorite graduated at one mile, a 25-1 stalker tallied at one mile, and a closing favorite earned her diploma at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Juan Hernandez and Umberto Rispoli both booted home a pair.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $508,857 and tickets with six winners paid $68,097.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $303.40.
April 25 Claims: Race 7 – Word Play ($50k, Jeff Mullins).
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (4-26-25)
Sloppy main track to start the day and upgraded to wet fast (sealed) by the second race. The turf course was labeled as good. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 6f, 8f). On the turf course, a 24-1 front runner held on by a nose to graduate in the flat mile opener, an 8-1 stalker won at 6.5f, 8-1 midpack stalker Public Assembly won the Royal Heroine (G3) at one mile, a 3-1 last-to-first closer tallied at one mile, and an 18-1 midpack closer earned her diploma in the 6f finale.
Armando Ayuso (dirt) and Tiago Pereira (dirt) both booted home a pair.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 4-26-25
Grade 3 Royal Heroine (8T): None of the favorites were around at the end. My top choice Raw Ability (IRE) was 9-2 morning line and went off as the 1.90-1 favorite. I thought she would sit back and make a run, but she ended up attending honest fractions and faltered along with the other early runners. Public Assembly ($18) sat in midpack from the inside post and got the jump on the deep closers and won by 1 3/4 lengths. Sun of Hill (BRZ) rallied from last to land the place, and Sneaker was up for the show at 23-1. Venganza, Valence, Eternal Reign (IRE), Tirupati, Raw Ability, Hamwood Flier (IRE), Uncorked (AUS), and Mucho Macho Girl rounded out the order of finish. Antonio Fresu rode the upset winner for Phil D’Amato. Fractions: 22.71, 46.23, 1:10.99, 1:23.98, 1:36.13.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $124,192 and tickets with six winners paid $66,348.00. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $836.20.
April 26 Claims: Race 2 – Positivity ($50k, Peter Miller). Race 6 – Aggro ($20k, Steve Knapp). Race 8 – Champagne Camie ($10k, Anthony Saavedra). Race 10 – Valentines Candy ($16k, Gary Stute).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (4-26-25)
SA 8 CHAMPAGNE CAMIE ($2.80), Trifecta ($178.00)
Double (races 8-9, $12.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Churchill Downs Full Card Highlights for Saturday (4-26-25)
CD 5 Carolo Rapido/Evening News/Mucho Mojo Trifecta ($106.88)
CD 8 BREAD TO RUN ($14.98), Exacta ($65.86)
Double (races 8-9, $55.88)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $412.16)
CD 9 MINK’S PALACE (CD Price Play, $10.06)
Double (races 8-9, $81.04)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $294.36)
Double (races 9-10, $33.18)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $255.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (4-27-25)
Fast main track and good turf course. One front running winner at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt. On the turf course, a stalking favorite won the 10f opener, front runner 7-2 Jungle Peace won the Senorita (G3) on the downhill course, a 2-1 midpack stalker graduated at 6f, and a closing favorite broke his maiden in the flat mile finale (rail at 10 feet).
Hat trick for Antonio Fresu (2 turf wins). Phil D’Amato saddled two turf winners. Tim Yakteen saddled two winners and Fresu rode both.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 4-27-25
Grade 3 Senorita (6.5T hillside): Jungle Peace ($9.60) set a pressured pace, got clear, and held off my 9-2 value top choice Amorita to win by a head. The latter closed from the outside post and just missed. Beaten favorite Cloe pressed and held the show. Velocity, Schiliflied, Polythene Pam, and Maximun Gold also ran. Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for Phil D’Amato. Fractions: 21.83, 44.26, 1:07.33, 1:13.83.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $202,136 and tickets with six winners paid $53,992.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $472.20.
April 27 Claims: Race 10 – Contrary Chieftain ($5k, Librado Barocio), Super Mazel ($5k, Isidro Tamayo).
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my full cards.
