Final day of the meet and it brings us an opportunity with a mandatory Pick 6 payout. These jackpot bets are absolute “stay aways” throughout the meet with the exception of forceout days which give us some edge over the traditional takeout. At a .20 increment, can build multiple tickets to attack, and in my opinion, there are some good shots at prices in this sequence. Looking forward to a re-start for Santa Anita in December, with the new turf chute ready then for the downhill course to hopefully open back up for the 6.5F sprints. Until then though, one last shot for a nice score at The Great Race Place. Best of Luck.
Weather: 65 degrees and Cloudy
Track: Fast and Firm
Pick 6 Sequence- Mandatory Payout Day
Leg 1, Race 6: Must Use: #8 Atina
Pace should be hot and contentious in this one between the #2, #3, and the #5 as all three look like need the lead types. Top pick is #8 Atina who should get a good stalking trip and has run past horses in the stretch before. Atina also is the only one of this group with back to back single digit Thorograph figures. Bug is on, and this weight allowance should help at this distance and pace scenario. For the P6 ticket, I like approaching the first leg with atleast one ticket skinny, or taking a stand on a single. Most people will spread here, especially as leg 1 so you can gain an edge on the field if you get by. For the ticket hat would be deeper here, I would include the 3 speed horses as they are tough to separate here in the scenario of loose lone speed. The last one I would consider here is #7 Majestic Diva, who last time here at SA put up a “6” Thorograph figure , career top amongst this group. Regressed since at other tracks, but gets the bug on board here and is back at his preferred track.
Leg 2, Race 7: Must Uses #4 Concise Advice , #5 Rose Dunn ,#7 Dr. Wysong
Tough race, with many that could win here. No doubt this will be a spready leg within the pool. Top pick in here is #5 Rose Dunn on the cutback. With the other speed drawn to the inside, Ricardo can sit comfortably on the outside and just off the dueling leaders until the far turn. Second off the long layoff with sharp works, should be fit and ready. Also second off the layoff is #4 Concise Advice who blew all chance at the start of the last race getting off slowly, came right back out with a 46 second work 2 weeks later. One maintenance work since this could be the right spot to get value today. Lastly, #7 Dr. Wysong figs fit nicely and could pick up the pieces of any pace meltdown. Keep in mind, the last 3 races have been great stretch drives by this one but were at 5F on a shorter home stretch. The added half here certainly will help this one. Following these must uses, I think there are many contenders in here and outside the 3 can make a case for any to win.
Leg 3, Race 8: Must Uses: #1 Rain Diva, #7 La Aguililla
Not much to not like about the 5/2 ML Favorite, #1 Rain Diva in here off a 7 length romp on this dirt last out versus claimers. Gets the raise in class here today but feels like group came up light. Glatt a dirt sprint specialist, and with the early foot, the 1 hole not a major concern here and could see this one loose on the lead. If pressed, and there are a couple potential contenders in here, it could get difficult from the inside of a duel. In this scenario, I do like the Golden Gate shipper #7 La Aguililla who brings in a strong late kick and figures that can fit here. Also to consider on deeper tickets, #6 Anna Fantastic was 4/1 last out at this condition (short field) and matched previous Thorograph figure. Would need to improve today to compete for the win, but no reasons to think that cant happen with this lightly raced 3YO that Umberto sticks with. #2 None of Your Biz makes a second off a long layoff start as a 3YO, all right to show big improvement today but do wish recent works were more encouraging. #4 Time for Ebby is the elder in here vs. many 3’s and 4’s and have the top fig of this bunch, and has been consistent with figures regardless of surface. Best days may be behind, but recent performances can get it done here today. Of the also uses, this one would be my strongest lean to include.
Leg 4, Race 9: Must Uses: #1 Hang a Star, #2 Maxim Rate, #3 Raymundo’s Secret, #7 Tonahutu
The G2 Goldikova may not have the biggest field but this is a good race. The chalk here is good, no doubt, as #3 Rayemundos Secret gives you strong front-end presence on a slight cutback, and #2 Maxim Rate who is 6: 2-3-0 on the SA Turf and gets Umberto back up will be the off the pace presence. I wouldn’t try and beat either Horizontally, but there are a couple others in here to use, where this could be the leg to differentiate, where those that spread early, may be short here with chalk. Beat the chalk, while getting by the skinny earlier legs could put a ticket in a great spot for a big score, and an upset here is not out of the question. Contender number one is #7 Tonahutu for Doug O’Neill is one point off Maxim Rate’s top on Thorograph, and has been working lights out like he is in top shape coming in. Lost ground last out in a G1, here still has the presence of Maxim Rate who he will probably look to get an early jump on in the turn. #1 Hang a Star tries the turf in here, and although not much turf experience on the dam side, does have a winner from sibs on the green in 5 starts. If there is not an issue taking to the grass, this one has raw ability to make a difference in this race with dirt figures on Thorograph. The stretchout is the other question here, but pedigree suggests it shouldn’t be an issue. Has late kick at a mile if gets pace to run at. At anything close to the 15/1 ML, there is good value for ahorse that could blow up a lot of tickets.
Leg 5, Race 10: Must Use: #7 Appreciated
Another race where any of these could jump up and win this race. Looks like there could be a hot and heavy pace up from between Jamming Eddy and Ray Ray. I like how this trip sets up for #7 Appreciated at the 6.5F distance as he should sit 2nd flight outside of runners and get first run at tiring leaders. Steady figures of late at numbers that could win here. With how popular Jamming Eddy will be, this one could be a good one to consider as a potential single that would still be a little contrarian. If going deeper, again can’t blame for any selection really, but prefer including the two early speed horses mentioned and #2 and #4 who fit well. Keep in mind, with the main track here, the kickback can be brutal and with the new whip rules it’s harder to make up big ground in the stretch, it’s a big advantage t be up front and in the clear.
Leg 6, Race 11: Spread if possible (2,3,4,5,9,10)
Not many times you see this condition, a MSW at 1 1/4 on Turf, so no surprise here than none of these have ran this distance. This race is for 3 years olds and older, but in this case, its all 3YO’s with the exception of the #10 Nurse Goodbody, who at 15/1 is a must use for me in hopes to end this sequence with a bang. This one has yet to match the talent that is shown in the mornings, a consistent good workhorse whose style of coming on late has caused trip issues in past trips. Outside post here today could help keep out of early trouble, and although I don’t love the jock selection for this running type on turf, hoping he can navigate to the rail early, save ground, and make a big run late. I would not be comfortable in this final leg not being deep, so if you are able to take stands in earlier legs, give yourself some room here. #3 Acoustic Shadow should benefit from the added distance and works like a distance runner. #2 This Tea or #9 Via Angelica are the only two I could see on the lead, and in these distance races, if the stalkers and late runners mis time this, it’s a big advantage for anyone loose on the lead, would not leave them off and the #9 is a big price here for Baffert and has more ability than shown thus far. #4 and #5 are very logical, fit from a figure standpoint, have pilots you can trust, and don’t have any distance limitation concerns in their breeding.