Santa Anita Recap for Friday (5-23-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a stalking favorite won the 6.5f opener, a closing favorite scored at 6f, a stalking favorite tallied at one mile, and a 34-1 front runner upset the 6f maiden claiming finale (rail at 30 feet).
Alfredo Bautista (dirt routes) and Umberto Rispoli (turf sprints) both booted home a pair. Steve Knapp saddled two winners on the main track.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $106,406 and tickets with six winners paid $18,948.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $179.00.
May 23 Claims: Race 1 – The Old Nine ($25k, Jorge Periban). Race 4 – Aggro ($20k, Tim McCanna). Race 7 – Heart Headed ($50k, Jeff Mullins).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (5-23-25)
SA 1 THE OLD NINE ($3.20)
Double (races 1-2, $15.20)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $55.40)
SA 5 FAVOR TO YOU ($4.20), Exacta ($7.40), Trifecta ($25.40)
Double (races 4-5, $8.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $35.00)
SA 6 Pax a Punch/Far Over Loaded Exacta ($14.60), Trifecta ($56.00)
Double (races 5-6, $11.80)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $30.80)
SA 7 Beef Winslow/Vantastic/Uncle Happy Trifecta (SA Best Bet, $139.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $36.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (5-24-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a 13-1 presser graduated at one mile, a 5-2 stalker earned her diploma at one mile, 2-1 dueling front runner Sneaker won the Fran’s Valentine at one mile, front running favorite Kings River Knight captured the Crystal Water at one mile, and 43-1 last-to-first closer Santa Barbarian upset the applecart in the Snow Chief at 1 1/8 miles (rail at 20 feet).
Kazushi Kimura booted home three winners (2 turf route stakes). Kent Desormeaux guided home a pair of dirt route winners (1 stakes). John Sadler saddled two winners (1 turf route stakes).
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $201,825 and tickets with six winners paid $107,818.00. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $150.00
May 24 Claims: None.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 5-24-25
Thor’s Echo (6f): Book Smart was the strong favorite and he dueled with 9-1 shot Tapatio Leo, and that set the table for my top choice Private Gem ($7). The latter parked himself in third, went past the embattled leaders, and won by 3 1/2 lengths. Final Storm rallied from last to complete the exacta at 11-1. Book Smart held the show and Spiritual Advisor, Geezer, and Tapatio Leo trailed. Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for Mark Glatt. Fractions: 21.69, 44.51, 57.19, 1:09.71.
Fran’s Valentine (8T): Sneaker ($6.60) battled on the pace from the inside post, put away pressing favorite Prancingthruparis, and won by 2 1/4 lengths. Cornelia Fort stalked the pace and landed the place at 11-1, and Prancingthruparis held the show by a neck over Shocking Grey. Quantum Innergy, Ashleys Sandcastle, and Blevys Tiger also ran. Kazushi Kimura rode the winner for George Papaprodromou. Fractions: 23.36, 47.40, 1:11.52, 1:23.70, 1:35.88.
Melair (8.5f): Fibonaccis Ride made the running but could not see out the trip. 15-1 longshot Going Deep chased, led, and looked home free after building up a 2 1/2-length lead, but 2-1 favorite Om N Joy ($6) was gaining a full head of steam from the back of the pack and ran past them all to win by a half-length under Kent D. Lady Mendelssohn, Fibonaccis Ride, in the Air Tonight, and Sunset Grazen rounded out the order of finish. Aggie Ordonez saddled the winner. Fractions: 23.48, 48.12, 1:12.44, 1:38.78, 1:45.67.
Crystal Water (8T): Kings River Knight ($2.40) was the controlling speed and he made short work of this field. He won by 3 1/2 lengths and this was his third consecutive Crystal Water victory. Takes Three stalked the pace and landed the place at 17-1, and Coalinga Road was another nose back in third. Clouseau, Freeport Joe, Stamp My Passport, and Barely Functional also ran. Juan Hernandez guided home the winner for John Sadler. Fractions: 23.69, 47.78, 1:11.01, 1:22.82, 1:34.84.
Snow Chief (9T): Bro Bro was the favorite and he set the pace, pulled up, bled, and was escorted off the track in the equine ambulance. Cali Cat worked out a decent stalking trip and got first run, but Santa Barbarian ($89.20) made the last run from the back of the pack and pulled off the upset. Cali Cat was second best and my top choice Got Soul rallied for the show. Drop Um, Prince of Del Mar, Style Cat, Western Freedom, and the aforementioned Bro Bro also ran. Kazushi Kimura rode the winner for Ryan Hanson. Fractions: 22.31, 47.16, 1:13.31, 1:37.62, 1:49.80.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (5-24-25)
SA 3 O K ROSE ($7.40), Exacta ($21.00), Trifecta ($30.20)
Double (races 2-3, $47.20)
SA 4 PRIVATE GEM ($7.00)
Double (races 3-4, $32.80)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $134.20)
SA 5 SILVER N BLACK ($3.40)
Double (races 4-5, $16.20)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $70.20)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $325.40)
SA 6 SNEAKER (SA Best Bet, $6.60)
Double (races 5-6, $11.00)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $71.40)
Double (races 6-7, $34.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $49.20)
Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7, $287.60)
SA 8 KINGS RIVER KNIGHT ($2.40), Trifecta ($38.00)
Double (races 7-8, $9.80)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $34.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (5-25-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (4.5f, 9f). On the turf course, a 7-2 presser scored at 6f, a 3-1 stalker tallied at 6f, a 10-1 stalker won at one mile, a 7-2 midpack closer graduated at 9f, and a 10-1 stalking first timer graduated in the 6.5f finale (rail at 10 feet).
Hat trick for Antonio Fresu (2 dirt wins). Juan Hernandez (turf) and Umberto Rispoli both booted home a pair.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $179,785 and tickets with six winners paid $96,048.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $776.60.
May 25 Claims: Race 7 – Discrepancy ($10k, Robert Hess Jr.).
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 5-25-25
Grade 2 Santa Margarita (9f): Seismic Beauty got clear early and the only one with a chance to catch her was her chalky stablemate Splendora. Three others ran as well but this came down to the two aforementioned Baffert runners. Seismic Beauty ($5.40) turned away Splendora and won by 5 lengths. Princess of Time was miles clear of the rest in third and Alpha Bella and Liberal Lady rounded out the order of finish. Antonio Fresu rode the winner for Bob Baffert. Fractions: 23.05, 46.25, 1:09.84, 1:34.96, 1:48.30.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (5-25-25)
SA 1 Trump Era/Pavlovian/Mr. Pippins Trifecta ($34.40)
SA 2 Virat/We’re in Trouble Exacta (SA Best Bet, $18.00)
SA 8 CATCH THE BREEZE (SA Best Bet, $9.00), Exacta ($30.40), Trifecta ($80.00)
Double (races 7-8, $44.60)
SA 9 MUCHO MAGICAL ($7.60)
Double (races 8-9, $46.20)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $230.80)
SA 10 Ellen Jorth/Goatski/Darlin Tami Trifecta (SA Price Play, $412.40)
$3 Late Pick 3 (races 8-10, $618.90)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Monday (5-26-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running sprint winners on dirt (6.5f, 5.5f). On the turf course, a 12-1 front runner graduated in the 6.5f opener, a 1.40-1 presser earned his diploma at 6.5f, a 4-1 midpack stalker won at 9f, 2-1 front runner Be My Best (IRE) won the Gamely (G1) at 9f, 4-1 midpack closer King of Gosford (GB) won the Shoemaker Mile (G1), and a stalking favorite broke his maiden in the flat mile finale.
Armando Ayuso guided home two winners. Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Saffie Joseph, Jr. teamed up for two graded winners.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $288,975 and tickets with six winners paid $450.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $16.80.
May 26 Claims: Race 2 – Big Juanito ($16k, George Papaprodromou). Race 4 – Positivity ($50k, Dan Azcarate).
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 5-26-25
Grade 1 Gamely (9T): Be Your Best broke on top and was clear by a length early. Post time favorite No Show Sammy Jo (GB) sat in second but gave up the chase, and Be Your Best ($6.20) spurted away by 4 1/2 lengths and was clear by 2 3/4 lengths when all was said and done. Lady Claypoole (IRE) rallied for the place and Liguria was best of the rest in third. Expensive Queen (IRE) was an even fourth and Public Assembly, No Show Sammy Jo, and Khinjani (GB) trailed. Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode the winner for Saffie Joseph, Jr. Fractions: 22.99, 46.15, 1:09.75, 1:33.58, 1:46.26.
Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup (10f): Surface switcher Packs a Wahlop set the pace and Midnight Mammoth chased from second. The latter stuck his head in front and strong favorite Skippylongstocking ($3.60) bid for the lead, struck the front, and beat Midnight Mammoth by 3/4ths of a length. My top choice Extensive was no threat to the top two and was best of the rest in third. Tarantino, Il Bellator, Packs a Wahlop, and Arrow the Great also ran. Irad Oritz, Jr. guided home the popular winner for Saffie Joseph, Jr. Fractions: 22.55, 46.33, 1:10.87, 1:35.51, 2:01.64.
Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile (8T): Goliad was aggressively handled from the outside post and Cabo Spirit backed off and let him show the way. Goliad gave up the ghost in the stretch and Cabo Spirit took a short lead and tried to pull off the 30-1 upset under Frankie Dettori, but Mi Hermano Ramon and King of Gosford (GB) were both finishing, and the latter got up by a neck for Flavien Prat and Phil D’Amato. Mi Hermano Ramon nipped a game Cabo Spirit for the place and Formidable Man got going too late and completed the superfecta. Atitlan, Seal Team (GB), Zio Jo, Goliad, and Seminole Chief also ran. Fractions: 22.92, 45.68, 1:09.47, 1;21.49, 1;33.52.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Monday (5-26-25)
SA 3 A DAY TO REMEMBER ($4.80), Exacta ($7.60)
Double (races 3-4, $11.00)
SA 5 Paradise Lake/The White Lady Exacta ($25.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $63.60)
SA 6 Navajo Warrior/Mega Moon Exacta ($17.00), Trifecta ($172.40)
Middle Pick 4 (races 5-8, $203.60)
SA 9 KING OF GOSFORD (SA Best Bet, $10.80), Exacta ($35.80)
Double (races 8-9, $22.40)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $73.20)
Double (races 9-10, $35.60)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $60.60)
SA 11 WINNING PATRIOT ($3.60)
$5 Double (races 10-11, $45.00)
$3 Pick 3 (races 9-11, $113.70)
Late Pick 4 (races 8-11, $157.80)
Late Pick 5 (races 7-11, $453.00)
$3 Turf Pick 3 (races 7, 9, 11) – $153.60)
$2 Pick 6 (races 6-11) – 5 out of 6 – $16.80
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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