Santa Anita Recap for Friday (4-17-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (8f, 6.5f, 8f). On the turf course, a closing favorite graduated in the flat mile opener, a 4-1 shot closed from last of 5 to win at 6f, a 6-1 stalker tallied from the inside post at 6f, a 9-2 stalker scored from the inside post at 6.5f, and a 6-1 stalker won the 6.5f finale (rail at 30 feet).
Armando Ayuso guided home a pair of turf sprint winners. Peter Miller saddled two winners.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $83,734 and there were no tickets with six winners. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $2,738.80. There will be a Pick 6 carryover of $44,734 when live racing resumes on Saturday, April 18.
April 17 Claims: Race 3 – Cyprus Moon ($30k, Leonard Powell). Race 4 – Joey Ten ($20k, Bill McLean). Race 5 – Long Mayshe Reign ($25k, George Papaprodromou), Oveta’s Hobby ($25k, Sergio Morfin), Shangrilama ($25k, Peter Miller). Race 8 – Mighty Kai ($8k, Doug O’Neill). Race 9 – Tom Seaver ($20k, Andy Mathis).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (4-17-26)
SA 2 BLAME IT ON JACK ($3.80)
Double (races 1-2, $8.40)
Double (races 2-3, $38.00)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $66.60)
SA 4 SOI NGERN ($4.80), Exacta ($17.40), Trifecta ($54.60)
Double (races 3-4, $17.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $56.20)
Double (races 4-5, $44.40)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $165.20)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $447.20)
SA 8 MIGHTY KAI ($4.40), Exacta ($9.60)
Bonus Stakes:
AQU 7 And One More Time/Oversubscribed Exacta ($15.80)
KEE 9 ALPINE PRINCESS ($6.10)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (4-18-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two dueling front running winners on dirt (6f, 8f). On the turf course, a 7-1 stalking first timer graduated in the 6f opener, 1.80-1 stalker Later Than Planned (IRE) captured the John Shear at 6.5f on the downhill course, a 3-1 stalker was placed first through disqualification at 6.5f, closing favorite Almendares (GB) went last-to-first in the American (G3) at one mile, a 9-2 front runner went all the way at 6.5f on the downhill course, and a stalking favorite earned his diploma in the 6f finale.
Hector Berrios (turf sprints) and Emisael Jaramillo (sprints) both booted home a pair. Phil D’Amato saddled three turf winners including a pair in stakes races.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 4-18-26
John Shear (6.5T hillside): This was a nice 2-horse battle. Track Tiger set the pace and Later Than Planned (IRE) chased from second, and the latter pounced in the lane and scored by a length and a half. Track Tiger held the place by a neck over Caro Buono (FR). Iriseach (IRE) and Won for Lou also ran. Hector Berrios rode the winner for Phil D’Amato and he paid $5.60. Fractions: 22.76, 44.64, 1:06.73, 1:12.92.
Grade 3 American (8T): The bettors got this one right. Almendares (GB) was bet down to 1.70-1 and he rallied from last of 7 to get up by a neck under Antonio Fresu. Genius Jimmy chased from second, led, and just missed in a quality effort. Seal Team (GB) finished an even third and was followed by King of Gosford (GB), Sumter (lacked racing room), Twirling Point, and Captain Choochies. Phil D’Amato saddled the winner and he paid $5.40. Fractions: 23.30, 47.48, 1:10.84, 1:22.41, 1:34.14.
The $2 Pick 6 carryover pool was $232,335 and tickets with six winners paid $56,285.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $340.80.
April 18 Claims: Race 2 – Tessuto ($30k, George Papaprodromou). Race 6 – Twisted Humor ($12.5k, Jesus Uranga).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (4-18-26)
SA 2 TAPALO ($8.80), Trifecta ($63.80)
Double (races 1-2, $50.00)
SA 3 LATER THAN PLANNED ($5.60), Exacta ($10.40)
Double (races 2-3, $28.80)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $116.20)
SA 5 THE LOAN EXCHANGE ($8.40), Exacta ($25.80)
Late Pick 4 (races 7-10, $697.20)
Bonus Stakes:
LRL 11 Taj Majal/Wild Warrior Exacta ($25.00), Trifecta ($91.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Keeneland Full Card Highlights for Saturday (4-18-26)
KEE 5 STREET PARTY ($7.34)
Double (races 4-5, $21.24)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $124.58)
Double (races 5-6, $19.94)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $58.86)
KEE 7 Floodlites/Whatchatalkinabout/
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $79.378)
KEE 8 WORKS FOR ME ($10.34), Exacta ($40.12)
Double (races 7-8, $26.64)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $94.34)
KEE 9 STARS AND STRIPES (KEE Best Bet #1, $5.30), Exacta ($17.62)
Double (races 8-9, $28.56)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $99.84)
KEE 10 BURNHAM SQUARE (KEE Best Bet #2, $4.56)
Double (races 9-10, $13.80)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $65.32)
$3 Turf Pick 3 (races 6, 8, 10) – $153.27
KEE 11 Be the Light/Fast Gun Exacta (KEE Price Play, $25.30), Trifecta ($69.40)
Double (races 10-11, $16.68)
$3 Late Pick 3 (races 9-11, $62.85)
Late Pick 4 (races 8-11, $317.36)
Late Pick 5 (races 7-11, $921.92)
$1 Pick 6 (races 6-11, 5 out of 6) – $16.94
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (4-19-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running route winners on dirt (8f, 8.5f). On the turf course, an outside presser won the 5f opener at 5-1 odds, a stalking favorite scored at 6f, a front running favorite tallied at 6.5f, a 3-1 front runner scored at 9f, and a 7-2 stalking favorite captured the flat mile finale (rail at 20 feet).
Armando Ayuso (sprints), Antonio Fresu (dirt routes), and Juan Hernandez (turf sprints) each guided home three winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 4-19-26
Grade 3 Santa Maria (8.5f): This 4-horse field was really a match race and the break was everything. Simply Joking broke on top and Nafisa pressed early and was content to chase under Juan Hernandez. The race was basically over early. Simply Joking ($3.60) kept inching clear under Emisael Jaramillo and romped by 6 3/4 lengths. Nafisa was miles clear of Lemon Muffin and Catalina Cocktail eased and walked off. Michael McCarthy saddled the winner. Fractions: 23.25, 46.65, 1:10.44, 1:35.73, 1:42.38.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $123,680 and tickets with six winners paid $216.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $9.40.
April 19 Claims: Race 1 – Mutt Dilin ($25k, Steve Knapp). Race 4 – Mongolian Max ($10k, Francisco Rodriguez).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (4-19-26)
SA 2 Midway Lane/Ghostwritten Exacta ($12.20)
SA 3 NIKOLINA ($3.40)
Double (races 2-3, $9.40)
SA 4 MONGOLIAN MAX ($3.40)
Double (races 3-4, $6.00)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $14.00)
Double (races 4-5, $5.80)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $15.00)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $35.20)
SA 6 Windribbon/Carol’s Comic Exacta ($6.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $12.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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