Check out my Friday (3-6-26) Santa Anita Park Race 8 analysis below.
SA 8 (Str-OC-16k, 8f) – Post Time 7:06 PM ET
Primary – #4 JOINT VENTURE
Secondary – #3 Majestic Palisades, #5 Feel the Magic
Horse Comments:
#4 Joint Venture (2-1) ran well in his three straight flat mile dirt races (August thru November 2025). He won two of those races and missed by a nose in the other, and he turned back and ran on for the show as my top choice at 6f Feb. 15. The 2-time local winner is back at his winning distance.
#3 Majestic Palisades (4-1) won back-to-back races in November (6f – NW2L) and Jan.11 (8f – NW3L), and he was second best Jan. 25. I made him my top choice on Feb. 22 and he finished a close second. He should work out a decent tactical trip beneath his winning rider Armando Aguilar.
#5 Feel the Magic (6-1) romped by 6+ lengths on the front end as the favorite in a $10k/3L affair at this course/distance in October and Jose Valdez claimed him that day. He stalked wide from post 10, led, and ended up a close third in a $16k starter allowance event at one mile Nov. 16, and he was a wide 7th of 9 vs. better local flat mile foes Jan. 8. He was third in a local $25k flat mile claimer Jan. 19 and D. Wayne Baker claimed him, and he was 7th of 9 at 8T Jan. 30. He returns to dirt and might bounce back.
Wagers:
#4 to win
Exacta box 3-4
Trifecta 4/all/3-5
Recent 2026 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Feb. 12 – Otherpeoplesmoney ($5.90), Exacta ($22.00)
Feb. 13 – Lovin’ On the Run/Artisma Exacta ($20.40)
Feb. 16 – Oscar’s Hope ($7.20), Trifecta ($142.00)
Feb. 17 – Shining Star ($3.00), Exacta ($8.40), Trifecta ($30.20)
Feb. 18 – My Own ($5.46)
Feb. 20 – Coach Cronin ($3.60), Exacta ($8.60)
Feb. 21 – Doncic ($7.20)
Feb. 22 – Tiger of the Sea ($5.20), Exacta ($10.00)
Feb. 27 – BiggieBiggieBiggie ($5.20)
Feb. 28 – Thought Process/Vibez Exacta ($22.80), Trifecta ($47.20)
March 1 – Mysterious Husband/Call Me Sir/Sneaking Candy Trifecta ($77.80)
March 5 – Saudi Crown/Bendoog Exacta ($6.20)
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