Santa Anita Recap for Friday (2-6-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (6.5f, 8f). On the turf course, a 7-2 front runner graduated in the 6f opener, a last-to-first closer scored in a 5-horse field as the second betting choice at one mile, a 5-1 closer tallied from the inside post on the downhill course, a 9-1 closer won at 6.5f, and a stalking favorite captured the flat mile finale (rail at 30 feet).
Riding doubles for Armando Ayuso (sprints), Tyler Baze, Mirco Demuro (turf), and Emisael Jaramillo (dirt). Trainer Jeff Mullins saddled two main track sprint winners.
The $2 Pick 6 carryover pool was $337.410 and tickets with six winners paid $3,871.60. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $61.00.
Feb. 6 Claims: Race 4 – Resemblance ($16k, Andy Mathis). Race 9 – Precision ($25k, Hector Palma), Prince Dolce ($25k, Steve Knapp).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (2-6-26)
SA 2 Uncle Chilly/Thirty Two Chunk Exacta ($6.80), Trifecta ($9.80)
SA 3 RAMAYANA ($4.60), Trifecta ($12.20)
Double (races 2-3, $11.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $35.60)
SA 4 Resemblance/Leyas Candy Exacta ($23.40)
Double (races 3-4, $21.20)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $48.20)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $148.60)
SA 8 Runamileinmyshoes/Our Moonlight Exacta ($9.20), Trifecta ($19.60)
SA 9 PRINCE DOLCE ($4.60), Exacta ($30.20)
$5 Late Double (races 8-9, $33.00)
Bonus Races:
AQU 4 BE YOU ($7.16), Exacta ($13.62), Trifecta ($29.00)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Oaklawn Full Card Highlights for Friday (2-6-26)
OP 4 EGLISE ($4.00), Exacta ($16.40)
Double (races 3-4, $39.80)
OP 6 SEARCH PARTY ($10.20)
OP 9 VITAL MIND (Best Bet #2, $4.00)
OP 10 FOIE GRAS ($5.40), Exacta ($23.00), Trifecta ($88.40)
Double (races 9-10, $10.60)
Double (races 10-11, $90.60)
Pick 3 (races 9-11, $195.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (2-7-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (6f, 8f). On the turf course, a stalking favorite graduated in the flat mile opener, El Potente wired the field as the even money favorite in the Thunder Road (G3) at one mile, a 5-2 stalker tallied at one mile, and 6-1 stalker Light Won Up captured the Sweet Life at 6.5f on the downhill course.
Tyler Baze booted home a pair. Bob Baffert saddled two graded winners on dirt (Splendora, Plutarch).
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps (2-7-26)
Grade 3 Thunder Road (8T): El Potente ($4) controlled the pace as expected and he was in command throughout. He put away outside pace prompter Namaron (GER) and kicked away in the stretch and won by 3 3/4 lengths. Gas Me Up rallied from last to finish a clear second and Watsonville was best of the rest in third. Lord Bullingdon (4th) and Namaron (5th) also ran. Hector Berrios rode the popular winner for Dan Blacker. Fractions: 22.92, 46.67, 1:10.20, 1;21.72, 1:33.49.
Grade 2 D. Wayne Lukas (7f dirt): Me and Molly McGee, making her first start since August, sped to the front and Formula Rossa applied outside pressure. Overwhelming favorite Splendora ($2.80) lost a step at the start after tossing her head, and she chased from third, came after Me and Molly McGee in the lane, and edged away to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Me and Molly McGee was second best in a nice effort and Formula Rossa was best of the rest in third. Lemon Muffin (4th), Irina’s Charm (5th), and No Bad Beats (6th) also ran. Juan Hernandez guided home the winner for Bob Baffert. Fractions: 22.78, 45.63, 1:09.71, 1:22.09.
Grade 3 Robert Lewis (8f dirt): Early speed rules in one mile races at Santa Anita. Desert Gate appeared to be the one to catch from the inside post but he was off a beat slow and gave away his perceived early advantage. Secured Freedom was stretching out in distance and figured to be forwardly placed but was not sharp out of the gate. The race shape was turned upside down and Intrepido and Plutarch were the major beneficiaries. Those two battled throughout and Plutarch ($10.20) dug in late and scored by 3/4ths of a length. Intrepido was clearly second best and Secured Freedom rallied wide from the outside post to nip Desert Gate for the show. Cherokee Nation (5th), Robusta (6th), and Briggs Armypower (eased, walked off) also ran. Florent Geroux rode the winner for Bob Baffert (90 BSF). Fractions: 23.49, 47.65, 1:11.35, 1:23.69, 1:37.02.
Sweet Life (6.5T hillside): Umbralle made the running and Light Won Up ($14.80) was second early, settled in fourth, moved up in the stretch, and went clear by 2 1/2 lengths. Himika railed for the place and Umbralle held third at 22-1 odds. Hypergamy (4th), Mohaven (5th), Struck By Her (6th), Famous Forza (7th), Total Val (8th), Bourbon and Ginger (9th), La Ville Lumiere (10th), and Soaring Angel (11th) also ran. Antonio Fresu rode the winner for Doug O’Neill. Fractions: 22.27, 44.53, 1:06.89, 1;12.85.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $113,599 and tickets with six winners paid $5,057.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $84.40.
Feb. 7 Claims: Race 2 – No More Ding Dongs ($10k, Jorge Farias).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (2-7-26)
SA 1 French Moonlight/Jennys Wine Girl/Suntory Time Trifecta ($62.00)
SA 5 EL POTENTE (SA Best Bet #1, $4.00), Exacta ($5.40)
Double (races 4-5, $23.20)
Double (races 5-6, $4.60)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $26.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $25.60)
Bonus Races:
TAM 5 ZANY ($2.40), Exacta ($3.40)
TAM 11 RENEGADE ($4.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (2-8-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a 5-2 dueling front runner won the 6.5f opener, a stalking favorite graduated at 6.5f, a 3-1 stalker tallied at one mile, last-to-first closer Yellow Card won the Clocker’s Corner at 6f, and a midpack stalker tallied in the 9f finale (rail at 20 feet).
Michael McCarthy saddled three winners overall including a pair of stakes winners (Yellow Card, Meaning).
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 2-8-26
Clocker’s Corner (6T): The pace was fast with Flyover and Speed Boat Beach mixing it up early, and Virat joined the chase. Sorrento Sky was in a good spot behind the speed but could not hold off Yellow Card ($8.40). The latter was last for the opening half or so and he swung out in the stretch and mowed them all down under Emisael Jaramillo. Sorrento Sky was second best and Virat nipped beaten favorite Sumter for the show. Flyover (5th), Speed Boat Beach (6th), and Irish Royalty (7th) also ran. Michael McCarthy saddled the winner. Fractions: 21.71, 44.03, 55.95, 1:08.05.
Las Virgenes (8f): This 4-horse Kentucky Oaks prep was full of quality with the 1-2-4 BC Juvenile Fillies finishers. Super Corredora broke on top and Explora applied pressure. Bank Shot was third and Meaning trailed and all four runners were in the mix. Explora did all of the pace dirty work along the inside and Meaning ($7.80) made an early wide bid, battled with a stubborn Explora in the lane, and edged clear late to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Explora was a good second and Bank Shot went past a tiring, disappointing Super Corredora in the lane. Flavien Prat rode the winner for Michael McCarthy. Fractions: 22.57, 45.98, 1:10.59, 1:24.20, 1:38.39.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $72,039 and tickets with six winners paid $12,828.60. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $274.80.
Feb. 8 Claims: Race 4 – Mighty Kai ($10k, Victor Garcia), Tee N Off ($10k, George Lopez). Race 6 – Thatsallrightmama ($20k, Leonard Powell).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (2-8-26)
SA 1 Hey Lil Lady/Wildfire Princess Exacta ($30.20), Trifecta ($93.80)
SA 3 ROMANTIC RIDE ($2.60), Trifecta ($25.60)
Double (races 2-3, $13.00)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, 60.60)
Double (races 3-4, $12.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $42.80)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $63.00)
SA 7 YELLOW CARD ($8.40), Exacta ($38.40)
Double (races 6-7, $37.80)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $141.40)
SA 8 MEANING (SA Price Play, $7.80), Exacta ($13.00)
Double (races 7-8, $25.60)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $209.60)
Bonus Races:
GP 8 Itza Boss/Cyclonite Exacta ($32.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my full cards.