Check out my Sunday (5-24-26) Santa Anita Park Race 9 analysis below.
Scratches (race 9): #4 – Catalina Cocktail
Updated Contenders Tickets After Scratches:
SA 9 (Str-Alw-16k, 8T) – Post Time 8:00 PM ET
Primary – #1 DEEP BLUE
Secondary – #5 She’s Splendid, #6 Lil’s Coffee, #7 Syntax
Horse Comments:
#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.
#7 Syntax (5-1) easily went all the way in a $10k dirt sprint May 3 and Librado Barocio claimed her that day. She set a pressured pace and held third in a CA-bred OC-20k/1x dirt sprint May 3. She reconnects with her winning rider Juan Hernandez and figures to set the pace from the outside post. She is 0-for-2 on turf.
Wagers:
#1 to win
Exacta 1/5-6
Exacta 5-6/1
Trifecta key 1/5-6-7
May 2026 Bettor Bet$ 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.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my full cards.
