Stakes Saturday under the California Sun

 We look in on Santa Anita and a fabulous California Crown card. Our focus will be on a fabulous graded downhill Turf sprint with a robust field.

Santa Anita Park Race 8 {Eddie D. Stakes~G2~6 1/2 furlongs~TURF~3 year-old Up~Graded Stakes}

A talented field of eleven will head up hill for the start of this annual contest.

Past Performances Used:  Equibase.

There is plentiful speed in this race to produce a sizzling pace. All are proficient over the Turf. Four will be making their first start on the unique downhill course. One millionaire joins the field. Speed figs are fairly close with a plethora of triple digit speed numbers posted. It should be one of the best races on the California Crown card.

#5 King of Gosford [GB] (Fresu / D'Amato) has won both of his efforts on the downhill Turf course. He holds a good last out speed number at a route and four very strong workouts. This guy should track the pace closely. A son of Zoustar [AUS], he is 54% in the money from eleven starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 Show.

#2 First Peace (M. Smith / Glatt) comes in with the second highest last out speed number at a route and two superb workouts. He absolutely loves the Turf and the downhill Turf course. This lad will also track the pace closely and sprout into the stretch. A son of Funtastic, he is 78% in the money from fourteen starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#6 Airforce Red (JJ Hernandez / Powell) will show speed with the fourth highest last out speed number at a route and two diligent workouts. He is a downhill Turf course specialist. This ridgling will seek his second win in a row. A son of Air Force Blue, he is 45% in the money from twenty starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#1 Johnny Podres (Rispoli / Barocio) is one of a very few that could benefit from a hot pace as he will track and close swiftly. He comes in with the highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. He loves the Turf and the downhill course. A son of Grazen, he is 62% in the money from forty starts.

#11 Big Invasion (Prat / Clement) is the morning line favorite as he ships in from Saratoga. He has a good last out speed number that earned him a win and one workout. This guy will track the front runners and scoot over the patch of dirt as he enters the Turf stretch. A millionaire son of Declaration of War, he is 75% in the money from twenty starts.

#10 Noble Reflection (M. Gutierrez / Papaprodromou) will join the speedster pace on the front-end. He excels at the distance and over the downhill course. This gelding shares the highest speed number on the downhill course. A son of Liam's Map, he is 41% in the money from seventeen starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#5 King of Gosford [GB]  ///  #2 First Peace,  #6 Air Force Red,  #1 Johnny Podres,  #11 Big Invasion,  #10 Noble Reflection.

Reverse the Wheel {$5.00)

#2,  #6,  #1,  #11,  #10  ///  #5 King of Gosford [GB].

Best of luck with all your Stakes Saturday wagers!!!