We continue on with the final three races of the Santa Anita card. We will take a look at the final three stakes races on their opening day card.
Santa Anita Race 9 – Mathis Mile (G2)
We have three-year-olds going to the turf for this Grade 2 test. Favored along the rail is the 1 King of Gosford (6/5 morning line). He has run well in his last four races, including last month at Del Mar in the Hollywood Derby where he just missed going an extra furlong. This distance should be right in his wheelhouse here today as he will be closing from off the pace.
The 5 Stay Hot (7/2 ML) finished fourth in the Hollywood Derby last month closing as well. He shortens up a furlong here as well, but he has fared better than the favorite in graded stakes races.
The 2 Atitlan (8/1 ML) won the Twilight Derby two races back here at Santa Anita and then finished towards the back of the pack in the Hollywood Derby. He was closer to the pace in the Twilight Derby win and a similar trip could get him back to the winner’s circle today.
The 4 Siennois (6/1 ML) went from last to first to win an allowance at Del Mar last month. The waters get deeper here but he could get a piece of this here today.
Joe’s Race 9 Pick
As tough as King of Gosford is going to be in this race, I think he can be beaten by Stay Hot here. He’s fared just as well if not better than the favorite here. I’ll call this 5-1-2-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 5.
Santa Anita Race 10 – La Brea Stakes (G1)
We have 11 entered here as three-year-old fillies go seven furlongs here in the La Brea Stakes. Favored is the 9 Hope Road (3/1 ML). She has won four in a row, all in 2024 and will look to add this race to her resume. She won the Bayakoa last time out at Del Mar before a two-month break and comes back today with almost as long as a break. She will shorten up a furlong here but will be on the lead here today.
The 7 One Magic Philly (4/1 ML) finished off the board in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint which was not that bad of an effort. She returns here running at that same difference and should not be that far away from the speed up front.
The 3 Kinza (8/1 ML) returns to the races here today after last seen here at Santa Anita back in April. She faded in the Santa Anita Oaks and finally returns today. She should like this distance today as she will try to set the foundation for 2025.
The 10 Tamara (8/1 ML) finished second in an optional claimer about six weeks ago at Del Mar finishing second to Sandy Bottom (#8, 20/1 ML) last out. Tamara could not get by the winner that day, but she definitely needed that race which was her first in over a year.
Joe’s Race 10 Pick
There is a ton of speed in this race, and a ton of Bob Baffert horses as well. But I am going to fade the Baffert horses here today. I’ll go with One Magic Philly to win this race today. I’ll call this 7-10-9-3 with a $20 win wager on the 7.
Santa Anita Race 11 – American Oaks (G1)
The finale on the opening day card is the American Oaks as we have 13 fillies entered here in this mile and a quarter race on the turf. Note that the 1 Omaha Girl (30/1 ML) and the 13 Rashmi (12/1 ML) are both entered in tomorrow’s seventh race on the card, so keep an eye on the scratches when they are announced.
Favored in the American Oaks is the 8 She Feels Pretty (7/5 ML). She should have no problems with this distance after winning and being very competitive as the races get longer. She returns from her layoff after drawing off to an easy win at Keeneland in October.
The 4 Kathynmarissa (4/1 ML) won going longer at Kentucky Downs in September. In that race she drew clear on a difficult European-style turf course. She returns looking to continue where she left off at the end of summer.
The 5 Watchtower (10/1 ML) has some traffic issues in her win in October in the Autumn Miss here at Santa Anita. She will be running the longest distance so far in her career, but if she can settle she should be fine here and could close and steal this.
The 3 Medoro (6/1 ML) got caught in the final strides of the Autumn Miss here at Santa Anita two months ago. She won her first four races of her career and then had a bit of bad luck in her last three. She has handled nine furlongs in the past, but can she handle the tenth one?
Joe’s Race 11 Pick
Despite the odds on She Feels Pretty, this is a tough race to close out the day at Santa Anita. I like that Kathynmarissa has won going longer though She Feels Pretty has won at just as long of a distance as today’s race, albeit 110 yards shorter. I’m trying to beat the favorite here with Kathynmarissa in the finale.
Let’s call this race 4-8-3-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck everyone, and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!