Check out my Friday (10-23-26) Santa Anita Park Race 5 analysis below.
SA 5 (Str-OC-50k, 6.5T) – Post Time 6:00 PM ET
Primary – #2 HEY LIL LADY, #3 Empress Matilda
Secondary – #1 Winika
Horse Comments:
#2 Hey Lil Lady (9-5) was part of the exacta in her last four starts. She dueled and prevailed by a head in a local 6.5T affair Feb. 8 (show finisher next-out winner), and she stretched back out and finished second at 8T Aug. 8 (1st start in 6 months). She cut back to 5T and rallied through traffic to land the place Sept. 3. The 2-time local winner is back at her winning distance and Julien Leparoux rides her well.
#3 Empress Matilda (3-1) was part of the trifecta in five of seven starts (2 wins). She won a local 6T affair June 6 and Ryan Hanson claimed her for $25k that day. She was 4th of 5 at 5T Aug. 7 and the runner-up was a next-out winner. She ran on for third at 5T Aug. 28 and winner Tam’s Little Angel clicked right back Oct. 11.
#1 Winika (5-2) stretched back out and stalked and scored by a length in a local Mcl-50k affair at 8T July 30, and she set the pace and prevailed by a nose at 8.5T Aug. 27. She turns back and her winning rider Juan Hernandez is 2-for-4 with Jeff Mullins recently. She stalked the pace and was 3rd of 12 in her lone turf sprint try at 6.5f June 6. An inside stalking trip is expected.
Wagers:
#2 to win
Exacta 2/1-3
Exacta 1-3/2
October 2026 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Oct. 1 – Kathynmarissa ($4.68), Trifecta ($251.84)
Oct. 3 – Domestic Agenda ($3.94), Exacta ($15.14)
Oct. 5 – Mobius ($9.80)
Oct. 6 – Vinsanity ($4.00)
Oct. 12 – Tirupati ($8.00)
Oct. 13 – Celestial Speed/Rock Tune Exacta ($6.00)
Oct. 14 – Jack and Jim ($7.44)
Oct. 15 – Showa ($12.44), Exacta ($23.68), Trifecta ($69.36)
Oct. 16 – Kool Mariah ($5.40), Trifecta ($44.00)
Oct. 17 – Timayyyy ($4.60)
Oct. 18 – Known Idea ($6.00), Exacta ($16.00)
Oct. 22 – Atropa/Maria Louise Exacta ($35.48)
*All winning wagers based on $2 payoffs unless noted otherwise.
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