Sun-sational Santa Anita

Santa Anita offers three Sun-sational Stakes races to look at today.

Santa Anita {Sham Stakes~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year old}
A terific field for a derby prep race.  This race was to have been run last weekend, but was washed out.  Kettle River (Blanc / Harty) still holds the edge here with the highest last out speed number and four fabulous workouts.  He is still ready to run well.  His chief challenger will be Marcello (Valdivia / Baffert) who will be stretching out from a sprint to a route for this one.  Trainer, Bob Baffert, has him ready though with a three peaking workout tab. Marcello also holds the highest overall speed number and the second best last out speed number.  Nextdoorneighbor (Smith / Machowsky) also looks sharp going into this one.  He has a decent last out speed number and three robust peaking workouts.  There are potentially three others that will compete for win honors.  Boulder Creek (Espinoza / Dollase) has a decent last out speed number, a two race progression, and four serious workouts.  The Program (M. Garcia / Baffert) has strung together a strong four peaking workout tab and loves the Santa Anita track.  Setsuko (Bejarano / Mandella) has gone this distance on turf, turning in a respectable last out speed number. His workout tab is stellar as well.  Let's keep the Derby dreams alive at Santa Anita.

$2 SHOW:  #6 Kettle River
$2 SHOW:  #1 Marcello
10 CENT Superfecta:  #6 Kettle River / #1 Marcello / #9 Nextdoorneighbor / #5 Boulder Creek, #2 The Program, #7 Setsuko.

Santa Anita {Frank Kilroe Mile~G1~1 mile~Turf~4 year old Up~Stakes }
A very strong field goes to the gate for this wonderful Turf race.  Ever A Friend (Rosario / Mitchell) looks to be the very best prepared, but will be challenged by Fluke (Talamo / Ascanio).  Ever A Friend has the highest speed number at the distance, a nice two race progression, and four hardy, peaking workouts.  It would be no fluke if Fluke won this one.  He shares the highest last out speed number and has posted four nimble, peaking workouts in preparation for this turf battle.  Battle of Hastings (T. Baze / Mullins) could be on the cusp of a victory as well.  He shares the best last out speed number with Fluke, shows four determined, peaking workouts, and loves this Santa Anita track. Will close swiftly.  Awesome Gem (Flores / Dollase) looks, well, awesome.  He has a solid last out speed number and four significant workouts.  Proviso (Smith / Mott) will be the surprise with two strong workouts.  He should compete for a piece of the purse.  Let's play another at beautiful Santa Anita.

$2 SHOW:  #5 Ever A Friend
$2 SHOW:  #9 Fluke
10 CENT Superfecta:  #5 Ever A Friend / #9 Fluke / #10 Battle of Hastings / #3 Awesome Gem, #8 Proviso.

Santa Anita Race 10 {Santa Anita Handicap~G1~1 1/4 mile~4 year old Up~Stakes}
A full and glorious field lines up for this one.  It will be an exciting race!  Misremembered (M. Garcia / Baffert) holds a slight edge with a superb last out speed number and a powerful, peaking three workout tab.  Dakota Phone (Espinoza / Hollendorfer)  looks marvelous with a triple digit last out speed number and possibly the best, peaking workout tab.  Mast Track (Flores / Shirreffs) is the lone speed in this race and will no doubt set the pace.  With two good workouts and a two race progression, he should hold on for a nice piece of the purse.  Neko Bay (Smith / Shirreffs) has a brawny three peaking workout tab in preparation for this race.  Add to that, his love for the Santa Anita track showing 87% in the money.  Loup Breton(IRE) (Gomez / Canani) will be trying the synthetic for the first time. He could surprise having gone this distance six times, albeit on the Turf.  He will be a factor in this race with a solid four workout tab.  Let's play yet another at lovely Santa Anita.

$2 SHOW:  #13 Misremembered
$2 SHOW:  #11 Dakota Phone
10 CENT Superfecta:  #13 Misremembered / #11 Dakota Phone / #7 Mast Track / #4 Neko Bay, #6 Loup Breton(IRE).

















Friday's Results
Gulfstream R3.  Our first pick, Sheikh's Seranade, won (1st) for show money of $2.20.  Our second pick, Margaret Smile finished 6th (last).  Superfecta went 4-2-7-5.
Gulfstream R8.  Our first pick, Cozy Lion, won (1st) for show money of $2.80.  Our second pick, Armstrong Mill, finished 2nd for show money of $2.40.  Superfecta went 5-1-7-6.
Bankroll sits at $14.90.