Santa Anita Recap for Friday (4-19-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a last-to-first closer graduated in the flat mile opener at 1.90-1, a 3-1 presser romped at 6f, a 2-1 front runner tallied at 6.5f, a last-to-first closer tallied at 6-1 odds at 6f, and a last-to-first closer captured the 5.5f finale at 9-2 odds (rail at 30 feet).
Riding doubles for Kyle Frey (dirt sprints) and Mike Smith (turf).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $92,468 and nobody had all six winners. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $460.00. There will be a Pick 6 carryover of $49,398 when live racing resumes on Saturday, April 20.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (4-19-24)
SA 2 WHIMSICAL HEIR ($4.40)
Double (races 1-2, $21.40)
SA 6 BIG BUZZ ($9.00)
Double (races 5-6, $22.40)
Double (races 6-7, $37.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $244.00)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $312.00)
KEE 9 RAGING SEA ($7.58)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (4-20-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at 6 1/2 panels on dirt. On the turf course, a 5-2 front runner won the hillside opener, a stalking favorite graduated at 6f, an 8-1 stalker earned his diploma at 6f, a 3-1 front runner broke his maiden at 6f, a stalking favorite tallied in the Providencia (G3) at 9f, and a closing favorite won the finale at a mile and a quarter.
Three wins apiece for Hector Berrios (turf) and Kazushi Kimura (2 dirt routes). Antonio Fresu booted home a pair. Bob Baffert saddled two dirt routes winners and Kimura rode both. Peter Eurton saddled two turf route winners, and Jeff Mullins saddled a pair of sprint winners.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 4-20-24
Grade 3 Californian (9f): Judge Miller was the controlling speed vs. three rivals. The strong favorite got his opening quarter in a very comfortable 24.67 and the opening half in 48.75. The six furlong split was 1:12.78 but Mixto was getting closer, and Mr Fisk started moving wide. The latter came after Judge Miller, put that one away, and skipped clear by 2 1/4 lengths under Kazushi Kimura. Judge Miller held the place by a half-length over Mixto. It was 8 lengths back to None Above the Law. The final time was 1:49.41. Mr Fisk has a good amount of stamina for Bob Baffert and should be a player in the Gold Cup later in the meet.
Grade 3 Providencia (9T): Shiloh’s Mistress made the running from the inside post and strong favorite Medoro chased from second. Those two battled throughout and hooked up in the stretch. Medoro got her nose down on the line to just prevail, and Circle of Trust was 3/4ths of a length back in third. Pink Whitney, English Danger, and Brand new Dream also ran. Antonio Fresu rode the winner for Peter Eurton and the final time was 1:48.95.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $480,213 and multiple tickets with six winners paid $1,071.60. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $20.10.
April 20 Claims: Race 2 – Ms McWhinney ($50k, Doug O’Neill). Race 5 – Seattle Breakout ($20k, Sergio Morfin). Race 10 – Order and Law ($50k, Anthony Saavedra).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (4-20-24)
SA 5 TIZ TOK ($6.40), Exacta ($17.20)
Double (races 4-5, $65.40)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $160.20)
50 cent Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $145.90)
SA 8 MEDORO ($2.40)
Double (races 7-8, $16.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $95.60)
SA 9 MAN O ROSE ($3.60), Exacta ($14.20)
Double (races 8-9, $4.80)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $47.80)
Double (races 9-10, $12.60)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $16.60)
KEE 9 KINGSBARNS ($5.36), Exacta ($19.08)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (4-21-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (6.5f, 8f). On the turf course, a 4-1 stalker scored at 5.5f, a 16-1 stalker won the Siren Lure on the hillside course, a 2-1 stalker tallied at a mile and an eighth, a 2-1 front runner held on by a head at 6.5f, and a 9-2 closer got up in the last jump to graduate in the flat mile finale (rail at 10 feet).
Hat trick for Antonio Fresu (dirt). Riding double for Geovanni Franco (turf sprints).
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 4-21-24
Siren Lure (6.5T hillside): Mucho Del Oro got to the front from the outside post as expected, but he was not around at the end. My top choice First Peace took up the running under Mike Smith and was the one to catch in the lane, and 16-1 longshot Johnny Podres was up to the challenge and rallied to win by a half-length for Geovanni Franco and Librado Barocio. First Peace was second best and Lane Way was a clear third. Mucho Del Oro and Mackinnon trailed. The final time was 1:11.57.
Grade 2 Santa Maria (8.5f): Super Shine (ARG) ran too good to lose, and I am not saying that because I picked her on top. There was an early scramble for the lead between Super Shine, Princess Bettina, Liberal Lady, and Blue Dream. The race flow favored Desert Dawn and Coffee in Bed. Super Shine shrugged off the pace pressure and regained the lead at the six furlong mark. Desert Dawn made a wide early move, and Coffee in Bed was wide and closing as well. Desert Dawn did not quicken enough but Coffee in Bed did, and she gained a short lead, but Super Shine fought hard all the way to the wire. Coffee in Bed prevailed by a neck for Mike Smith and Richard Mandella. Super Shine settled for the place in her first start since May 2023. Desert Dawn was best of the rest in third at 90 cents on the dollar. Blue Dream, Turnerloose, Princess Bettina, and Liberal Lady also ran. Super Shine was the only forwardly placed runner around at the end. She took pressure throughout and just missed. The final time was 1:45.16.
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $206,172 and tickets with six winners paid $10,013.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $149.80.
April 21 Claims: Race 8 – North East Star ($30k, Doug O’Neill), Smart Kitten ($30k, Steve Knapp).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (4-26-24)
SA 1 JANE AUSTEN ($12.20), Trifecta ($57.20)
Double (races 1-2, $37.80)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $108.00)
SA 5 TAMBO ($6.40), Exacta ($9.20)
Double (races 5-6, $27.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $213.20)
SA 8 INNER BEAUTY (SA Best Bet #2, $6.40), Trifecta ($33.40)
Double (races 7-8, $63.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $148.00)
Double (races 8-9, $32.40)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $198.60)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $206.20)
50 cent Late Pick 4 (races 7-10, $370.75)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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