Santa Anita Recap for Friday (4-24-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at six panels on dirt. On the turf course, a front running favorite captured the flat mile opener, a 16-1 front runner graduated at one mile, a stalking favorite tallied at one mile, a front running favorite scored at one mile, and a 6-1 stalker earned his diploma in the flat mile finale (rail at 30 feet).
Cesar Belmont (dirt sprints), Antonio Fresu (turf routes), Ricky Gonzalez (sprints), and Juan Hernandez each booted home two winners. Andy Mathis saddled three dirt sprint winners and Belmont guided home two. Tim Yakteen saddled two turf route winners and Fresu rode both.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $46,543 and tickets with six winners paid $1,072.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $19.20.
April 24 Claims: Race 6 – Cela Hall ($10k, Jorge Farias), Clubhouse Bride ($10k, Ian Kruljac), Legal Fiction ($10k, Ryan Hanson), Miz Clubcali ($10k, Gary Stute).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (4-24-26)
SA 1 Mr. Leasure/Rhythem On Stage/Promissio Trifecta ($43.00)
SA 4 DANZING FLYER ($5.00)
SA 5 RUN WITH LIBERTY ($3.40)
Double (races 4-5, $11.00)
SA 6 Clubhouse Bride/Miz Clubcali Exacta ($27.60), Trifecta ($184.20)
Double (races 5-6, $26.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $57.60)
Double (races 6-7, $18.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $30.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $55.00)
Bonus Stakes:
KEE 8 SPEED SHOPPER ($5.42)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (4-25-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a 6-1 stalker won the flat mile opener, a 3-1 stalker tallied at one mile. A pressing favorite tallied at 6.5f on the downhill course, and 9-2 outside stalker Take a Breath won the Royal Heroine (G3) at one mile.
Armando Ayuso (2 dirt wins) and Antonio Fresu (2 turf wins) both guided home three winners. Mark Glatt (turf) and Jeff Mullins (dirt) both saddled two winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 4-25-26
Grade 3 Royal Heroine (8T): Tirupati had a sharp break from post 2 but his rider Kazushi Kimura was content to chase inside. Longshot Rosie Jeeks moved to the fore and Grand Slam Smile took over after a half-mile. Tirupati moved up to second along the inside but was shuffled back. Take a Breath ($11.20) stalked wide from an outer post and used her stamina to win by a half-length over closing returnee May Day Ready. Grand Slam Smile held the show by neck over Tirupati. The latter was my top choice and she could have won this race with a different trip and/or more aggressive ride. A Thousand Miles (5th), Watchtower (6th), Ripassare (7th), Innovative (8th), and Rosie Jeeks (9th) completed the order of finish. Emisael Jaramillo rode the winner for Mark Glatt. Fractions: 23.72, 48.30, 1:12.54, 1:23.82, 1:35.95.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $75,644 and tickets with six winners paid $873.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $29.40.
Feb. 9 Claims: Race 2 – Sendit Mo ($32k, Doug O’Neill). Race 7 – Exington ($10k, Francisco Rodriguez), Lil’s Coffee ($10k, Isidro Tamayo). Race 8 – Mici’s Express ($20k, Isidro Tamayo).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (4-25-26)
SA 4 SAVAGE WARDEN ($8.80), Exacta ($28.80), Trifecta ($85.80)
SA 5 Red Flag/Mega Moon Exacta ($13.80), Trifecta ($60.20)
Double (races 4-5, $25.00)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $62.20)
SA 7 EXINGTON ($8.60)
Double (races 6-7, $21.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $43.20)
SA 8 UNCLE CHILLY ($4.40), Exacta ($8.00)
Double (races 7-8, $18.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $46.20)
Pick 6 (5 out of 6, $29.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Santa Anita Recap for Friday (5-8-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at 4 1/2 panels on dirt. On the turf course, a dueling front running favorite won at 6.5f, a 3-1 closer scored at one mile, a 12-1 closer tallied at one mile, and a stalking favorite graduated in the 6f finale (rail at 30 feet).
Richard Baltas saddled two sprint winners.
The $2 Pick 6 carryover pool was $415,658 and tickets with six winners paid $9,107.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $124.60.
May 8 Claims: Race 3 – Aloha Dreamin ($10k, Jeff Mullins), Tupelo ($10k, Blaine D. Wright). Race 7 – Bitter Truth ($12.5k, Jose Valdez).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (5-8-26)
SA 1 Father Ted/Sir Davis Exacta ($10.40)
SA 2 Code Duello/Enterdadragon Exacta ($6.60), Trifecta ($13.80)
SA 3 HEADSTRONG WAYS ($4.20), Trifecta ($21.60)
Double (races 2-3, $7.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $15.80)
Double (races 3-4, $27.00)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $45.40)
SA 5 SENTIENT SOON ($6.00)
Double (races 5-6, $29.20)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $71.80)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $121.20)
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5, $279.00)
SA 8 Jennys Wine Girl/Butterfly Beach Exacta ($9.00), Trifecta ($16.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (5-9-26)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a stalking favorite won the 6f opener, a 2-1 stalker graduated at 6f, a front running favorite earner her diploma at 6f, a closing favorite tallied at 9f,
Turf sprint riding double for Juan Hernandez.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 5-9-26
Grade 3 Senorita (6.5T hillside): The pace was contested and 3-2 favorite Light Won Up stalked from midpack, led late, and was nailed on the line by last-to-first closer Marjoram ($9.20). The winner broke slow and got up in the nick of time for Juan Hernandez and Michael McCarthy. Light Won Up just missed by a head in a quality effort, and Yours Sincerely (IRE) rallied for the show. Revera (4th), Surfin’ U. S. A. (5th), Will Happen (6th), Still Unwritten (7th), Bella Lyra (8th), Mo ‘Em Down (9th), and Dreaming of Alys (10th) also ran. Fractions: 22.22, 44.93, 1:07.84, 1:13.78.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $81,664 and there were no tickets with six winners. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $317.20. There will be a Pick 6 carryover of $43,628 when live racing resumes on Sunday, May 10.
May 9 Claims: Race 4 – Lil’s Coffee ($10k, Doug O’Neill), Perfect Life ($10k, Jose Valdez), Tom’s Star ($10k, Brian T. Cunningham). Race 7 – Jimmy Blue Jeans ($20k, Librado Barocio).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (5-9-26)
SA 5 MIDNIGHT COWGIRL ($3.80), Exacta ($12.80)
Double (races 5-6, $8.00)
SA 7 SABERTOOTH ($5.20)
Double (races 6-7, $16.80)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $28.60)
Double (races 7-8, $32.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $66.00)
$3 Turf Pick 3 (races 5, 7, 9) – $150.90
Bonus Stakes:
AQU 8 CADENZA ($5.10), Trifecta ($220.76)
AQU 9 GROWTH EQUITY ($4.04), Exacta ($10.54)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my full cards.
