Santa Anita Recap for Friday (10-3-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, an 11-1 front runner graduated in the flat mile opener, a 2-1 closer won at 6f, a stalking favorite tallied at 9f, a 9-1 closer scored at one mile, and a 4-1 stalker captured the flat mile finale (rail at 30 feet).
Armando Ayuso (dirt) and Juan Hernandez (sprints) both guided home two winners. John Sadler saddled two winners.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $63,094 and tickets with six winners paid $3,865.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $87.20.
Oct. 3 Claims: Race 5 – Hey Demps ($25k, George Papaprodromou). Race 6 – Ballyhooligan ($20k, George Papaprodromou). Race 9 – Issa Court ($20k, Robert Hess, Jr.), Runamileinmyshoes ($20k, Steve Knapp).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (10-3-25)
SA 3 DONCIC (SA Best Bet, $6.20), Trifecta ($79.40)
Double (races 2-3, $77.40)
SA 4 LIBERATION ($2.80)
Double (races 3-4, $8.60)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $107.60)
Double (races 4-5, $7.40)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $31.60)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $483.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $66.60)
KEE 9 TOMMY JO ($2.88), Trifecta ($13.68), Superfecta ($21.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (10-4-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at six panels on dirt. On the turf course, a 9-2 stalker scored in the 6f opener, a 5-2 stalker won at one mile, a front running favorite graduated at one mile, 11-1 closer Mission of Joy upset the Rodeo Drive (G2) at 1 1/4 miles, and 10-1 closer Later Than Planned captured the Speakeasy at five panels.
Umberto Rispoli booted home four winners (3 turf wins). Hat trick for Hector Berrios (2 turf wins). Phil D’Amato saddled three turf winners (2 stakes wins) and Rispoli rode all three.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 10-4-25
Grade 3 Chillingworth (6.5f dirt): Tamara ($2.80) won easily as the strong favorite. She chased Silent Law, got clear in the stretch, and won by 3 1/2 lengths for Mike Smith and Richard Mandella. Silent Law finished second and was 14 1/2 lengths in front of Ang N Ash. Tamara earned a 95 BSF. Chismosa and Baela also ran. Fractions: 21.83, 44.06, 1:08.78, 1:51.21.
Grade 1 American Pharoah (8.5f dirt): Desert Gate was the favorite and he made the lead from the outside post but his stablemate Kristofferson broke from the outside post and hounded him from the outset. Desert Gate put away Kristofferson and lead by a length in the stretch, but Intrepido was lurking behind the speed and Plutarch was closing, and Intrepido ($19.60) surged late to win by 3/4ths of a length. Desert Gate just held the place by a nose over his stablemate Plutarch, and the top three were well clear of Civil Liberty, Balboa, and Kristofferson. Hector Berrios rode Intrepido for Jeff Mullins and he received an 87 BSF, and the BC Juvenile is next.
Grade 2 Rodeo Drive (10T): Patient longshots dominated this heat. Mission of Joy ($25.80) outfinished 14-1 closer Speed Shopper to win by a head. Starry Heavens (IRE) stalked the pace and finished a close third, and Alpha Bella set the pace and weakened to fourth. Amber Cascade, Long Ago (GB), Hang the Moon, and Watchtower (pulled up, walked off) also ran. Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for Phil D’Amato and the winner got an 88 BSF.
Grade 2 Oak Leaf (8.5f dirt): Strong favorite Explora ($2.80) was much the best for Juan Hernandez and Bob Baffert. She stalked the pace from the outside post, took over, and won by 4 1/4 lengths. La Wally rallied for the place and La Ville Lumiere was a clear third. Banzai Betty, Himika, and Heaven’s Bolt (eased, walked off) completed the order of finish. Explora got an 83 BSF and is headed to the BC Juvenile Fillies.
Speakeasy (5T): Bacio set the pace and almost went all the way, but Later Than Planned ($22.60) rallied late to win by a half-length for Umberto Rispoli and Phil D’Amato. Bacio was second best as the beaten favorite and Twilight Delight was best of the rest in third. Ventry Strand, Queen Bay, Bourbon and Ginger, Dirty Rich, Arkadelphia, Thirsty Rebel, Brigante, A. P. Again, and Sendit Mo also ran. Later Than Planned (IRE) earned a 73 BSF.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $77,946 and tickets with six winners paid $13,880.20. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $171.60.
Oct. 4 Claims: Race 4 – Yacowlef ($50k, Jeff Mullins).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Saturday (10-4-25)
SA 2 TAMARA ($2.80)
Double (races 2-3, $59.20)
SA 4 CUBAN CONFUSION ($7.20), Trifecta ($240.20)
Double (races 2-3, $84.20) – Pick 3 (races 2-4, $182.20)
SA 5 SOUTHERN MELODEE (SA Best Bet, $6.80), Trifecta ($218.20)
Double (races 4-5, $25.40) – Pick 3 (races 3-5, $293.00)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $738.40)
SA 6 Conducted/Honey’s Choice Exacta ($16.20)
Double (races 5-6, $22.40) – Pick 3 (races 4-6, $44.60)
SA 7 OCEAN BEAR ($6.60)
Double (races 6-7, $34.40) – Pick 3 (races 5-7, $93.20)
Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7, $197.60)
SA 9 Explora/La Wally Exacta ($8.60)
BAQ 4 ASBURY PARK ($6.96), Exacta ($42.56), Trifecta ($87.32)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (10-5-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (6f, 8f. On the turf course, a closing first timer graduated as the favorite in the 6f opener, Stark Contrast stalked and scored at 7-2 odds in the Zuma Beach (G3) at one mile, a 4-1 closer tallied at one mile, 10-1 stalker Brave Deb upset the field in the Surfer Girl (G3) at one mile, and a 33-1 bomber earned his diploma in the 6f finale (rail at 10 feet).
Tyler Baze and Kazushi Kimura (routes) both booted home a pair. Michael McCarthy saddled two route winners (1 graded turf route) and Kimura rode both.
Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 10-5-25
Grade 3 Zuma Beach (8T): Stark Contrast ($9.20) stalked from the inside post and had the best late speed to win by a length for Kazushi Kimura and Michael McCarthy. Third Beer rallied from last of 5 to complete the exacta and Proletariat chased from second, led, and was best of the rest in third. Beaten favorite Caro Buono (FR) was a flat fourth and 24-1 outsider Won for Lou set the pace and weakened to last. Charlie’s Curlin and Medici scratched. Fractions: 22.26, 46.20, 1:11.47, 1:23.32, 1:34.77.
Grade 3 Surfer Girl (8T): Even money favorite Will Happen made the lead and folded. Brave Deb ($23.80) chased from second, got clear, and held off Scratch It to win by a length. Pentile Bay rallied from last to land the show by a head over closer Sincerely Yours (IRE). Dreaming of Alys, South Bay, Soaring Angel, and Will Happen also ran. Mirco Demuro rode the winner for Richard Mandella. Fractions: 22.26, 45.76, 1:11.17, 1:23.61, 1:35.40.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $85,324 and there were no tickets with six winners. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $1,028.00, and there will be a Pick 6 carryover of $45,583 when live racing resumes on Oct. 10.
Oct. 5 Claims: None.
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Sunday (10-5-25)
SA 4 STARK CONTRAST ($9.20)
Double (races 4-5, $20.80)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $178.60)
SA 7 MISCHIEFS CAUSEWAY ($8.00), Trifecta ($82.40)
Double (races 6-7, $35.60)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $117.80)
Double (races 7-8, $207.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $866.00)
SA 9 CLOUSEAU (SA Best Bet, $3.60)
Double (races 8-9, $83.40)
Pick 3 (races 7-9 $418.40)
KEE 8 SCHWARZENEGGER ($6.64)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my Santa Anita Park full cards.