Check out my Friday (3-13-26) Santa Anita Park Race 9 analysis below.
SA 9 (MSW, CA-bred 3yo, 8T)
Primary – #8 ROBIN OLDS, #4 John Metcalfe
Secondary – #1 Dr. Filkins, #7 Flash of Lightning
Horse Comments:
#8 Robin Olds (9-2) was 7-1 in his local 8T bow Feb. 13 and he rallied from the back of the pack to land the show. Dam Enola Gray (also trained by Phil D’Amato) went 7-for-12 in 2016-18 and won six stakes races including the G3 Wilshire at 8T. He had a maintenance move for this Feb. 28 and might go better second time out.
#4 John Metcalfe (9-5) is 0-for-7 with three runner-up finishes. He was up the track in his first two dirt sprints and finished second in his next three flat mile dirt starts since including the King Glorious in December. He was 8th of 9 in the Cal Cup Derby at 8.5f Jan. 17. He returned to the maiden ranks and had an uncomfortable trip and finished last of 9 as the 3-2 favorite Feb. 13. Juan Hernandez strings along and a forwardly placed trip is expected (blinkers on).
#1 Dr. Filkins (5-1) was 9-1 in the common Feb. 13 affair at this course and distance and he made the running from the inside post and held the place by a half-length over first timer Robin Olds. He has the inside post again and might be the one to catch under Kyle Frey.
#7 Flash of Lightning (4-1) paired up Final Time Ratings in his first two turf sprints. He was 3rd of 10 in his 5T bow and 4th of 12 at 6.5T second time out. He stretched out, had a troubled beginning, and rallied to finish a clear third at 9-2 odds at 8T Jan. 15. Kazushi Kimura rides back and he might go better in his second turf route start.
Wagers:
#8 to win
Exacta box 4-8
Trifecta 4-8/1-4-7-8/1-4-7-8
Recent 2026 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
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)
March 8 – Track Tiger/Sammy Davis Exacta ($6.20)
March 11 – Accent/Rugelach Exacta ($15.00), Trifecta ($41.00)
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