Check out my Sunday (5-24-26) Santa Anita Park Race 9 analysis below.
SA 9 (Str-Alw-16k, 8T) – Post Time 8:00 PM ET
Primary – #4 CATALINA COCKTAIL, #1 Deep Blue
Secondary – #5 She’s Splendid, #6 Lil’s Coffee
Horse Comments:
#4 Catalina Cocktail (5-2) was out of her element when finishing last of 4 in the G3 Santa Maria on dirt April 19 (eased, walked off). This is a much better class level and she handles turf, and her new rider Joel Rosario wins races with John Sadler.
#1 Deep Blue (2-1) dropped into a $10k/2L dirt sprint Feb. 27 and she finished second as the favorite and was claimed by Victor Garcia. She switched surfaces and made up 10 lengths to score at 3-1 odds at 6T April 30. Emisael Jaramillo got to know her last time and she stretches out and is versatile.
#5 She’s Splendid (4-1) fits with these if she can run back to her place finish at 8T in March. Her dirt flop April 18 can be forgiven and she was an even fourth at 8T April 30.
#6 Lil’s Coffee (6-1) was re-claimed out of her last by Doug O’Neill and she switches surfaces. Kazushi Kimura is her new rider and he is 4-for-13 with this barn.
Wagers:
#4 to win
Exacta box 1-4
Trifecta 1-4/1-4-5-6/1-4-5-6
May 2026 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
May 1 – On Time Girl ($5.92), Exacta ($47.68)
May 2 – Crude Velocity ($5.14), Exacta ($10.80), Trifecta ($75.64)
$1 Superfecta ($114.30), $1 Super High 5 ($506.74)
May 3 – Zalamo ($14.20)
May 5 – Otter Mischief ($3.80), Exacta ($6.00), Trifecta ($20.20)
May 12 – Dawn At Normandy ($4.00)
May 13 – How About Now ($15.40)
May 14 – Paco the Taco Man ($5.20), Trifecta ($78.00)
May 17 – Ahrens/Thirty Two Chunk Exacta ($13.80), Trifecta ($52.80), Trifecta ($74.80)
May 18 – Strike D’ Oro ($4.20), Exacta ($10.40), Trifecta ($27.00)
May 20 – Certain/Willie Bird Exacta ($16.20)
*All winning wagers based on $2 payoffs unless noted otherwise.
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