Check out my Friday (4-17-26) Santa Anita Park Race 9 analysis below.
SA 9 (OC-20k/1x, CA-bred, 6.5T) – Post Time 8:03 PM ET
Primary – #6 CURLIN COMMAND, #5 Tom Seaver
Secondary – #7 Frank Bullitt, #4 Miles Finch
Horse Comments:
#6 Curlin Command (4-1) returned as a gelding this year and ran well in both 2026 outings. He pressed the pace and missed the place by a nose Feb. 28 and that was his first start since August 2025. He smartly went all the way as my top choice at this course and distance March 28. Juan Hernandez got to know him last time and he should be right up on the pace.
#5 Tom Seaver (6-5) has not been seen since winning as the favorite at 6.5T April 2025. Steve Miyadi’s returnee has been gelded since his last start.
#7 Frank Bullitt (10-1) added lasix, turned back, and rallied for the place at 18-1 odds in a local state bred allowance affair at 6.5T Feb. 14, and that was his third on the board finish from a trio of local turf sprint attempts. I used him underneath at 6T March 14 and he had an uncomfortable trip and ended up 7th of 11. He is capable of spicing up the exotics.
#4 Miles Finch (5-1) was part of the trifecta in his first five turf starts, and was a wide 9th of 12 from the outside post when last seen August 2025. He ran well in all three turf sprints including a front running maiden win June 2025 (runner-up next-out winner). John Sadler’s returnee loses the services of his winning rider Juan Hernandez, and his new pilot Kazushi Kimura should put this one in the race from the outset.
Wagers:
#6 to win
Exacta box 5-6
Trifecta 5-6/4-5-6-7/4-5-6-7
April 2026 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
April 2 – Charlie’s Curlin ($5.60)
April 3 – Joint Venture ($3.60)
April 4 – Meaning ($3.80)
April 8 – Dresden Row ($6.58), Trifecta ($67.28)
April 11 – West End Kid ($5.72), Exacta ($10.58), Trifecta ($29.28)
April 12 – In Our Time ($12.88)
April 13 – Play the Gray ($8.20)
April 15 – Rothko/Coalmoon Exacta ($42.26)
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