Santa Anita Recap for Friday (6-6-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Four front running winners on dirt (8f, 5.5f, 8f, 6f). On the turf course, a last-to-first closer at 9-2 odds captured the 6f opener, a closing favorite won at one mile, a 3-1 front runner scored at 6.5f, a 2-1 midpack closer tallied at one mile, and a stalking favorite won the flat mile finale (rail at 30 feet).
Riding doubles for Armando Ayuso, Antonio Fresu (turf routes), and Welfin Orantes (dirt). Michael McCarthy saddled two turf winners.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $58,181 and tickets with six winners paid $7,770.60. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $64.60.
June 6 Claims: Race 2 – Scatify ($50k, Jeff Mullins). Race 5 – Del Mar Jerry ($25k, Steve Miyadi). Race 9 – Bad to the Bones ($25k, Ryan Hanson), One of These Days ($25k, Victor Garcia).
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (6-7-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a front running favorite won the flat mile opener, a front running favorite scored at 6f, a 14-1 front runner tallied at 6.5f on the downhill course, a 14-1 midpack closer scored at one mile, and an 11-1 midpack closer took the flat mile finale.
Four wins for Juan Hernandez (3 turf wins). Kyle Frey booted home a pair of winners on the main track for trainer Librado Barocio. A couple of dirt sprint winners for Steve Miyadi.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 6-7-25
Grade 3 Summertime Oaks (8.5f): Silent Law and Thought Process both scratched and we were left with a 5-horse field. Howin set the pace and longshot Sea Dancer chased from second. Cash Call ($3) was the 1-2 favorite and she stalked from the outside post under Juan Hernandez, confronted Howin in the stretch, and wore that one down to win by 3/4ths of a length. Howin was clearly second best and my top choice Our Moonlight was best of the rest in third. Allihies and Sea Dancer trailed. Bob Baffert saddled the winner and runner-up. Fractions: 23.50, 47.54, 1:11.63, 1:37.07, 1:43.62.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $102,706 and there were no tickets with six winners. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $1,237.60. There will be a Pick 6 carryover of $54,870 when live racing resumes on Sunday, June 8.
June 7 Claims: Race 2 – Knightwithlouis ($32k, Jeff Mullins). Race 3 – Man Child ($16k, George Papaprodromou), Zimba Warrior ($16k, Steve Miyadi). Race 8 – Jeweled Shillelagh ($50k, Ryan Hanson).
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (6-8-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running route winners on dirt (8.5f, 8f). On the turf course, a 6-1 front runner scored at one mile, a front running favorite won at 9f, and a 7-1 closer captured the 6f finale (rail at 20 feet).
Hat trick for Antonio Fresu. Riding double for Juan Hernandez.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 6-8-25
Affirmed Stakes (8.5f): I don’t know how the class of the field Gaming was not the favorite. That honor went to his stablemate Nevada Beach. Gaming ($5) made the lead under Hector Berrios and he stayed clear throughout and won by a bit less than two lengths. Second timer Nevada Beach had a bit of an uncomfortable trip from the inside post and got past maiden Rank for the runner-up spot. Maiden Westwood trailed throughout. Bob Baffert saddled the winner and runner-up. Fractions: 23.45, 47.10, 1:10.35, 1:35.72, 1:41.92.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $437,085 and tickets with six winners paid $72,094.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $571.40.
June 8 Claims: Race 4 – Full Moon Grazen ($5k, Jose Valdez), I’m a Risque Girl ($5k, Jose Valdez). Race 6 – Proud Racer ($50k, Peter Miller). Race 8 – Misty Muppet ($16k, Jesus Uranga).
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