by Scott Shapiro
February 2, 2025
After Burnham Square and Citizen Bull stole the show winning the Holy Bull (G3) and the Robert B. Lewis (G3) respectively to earn twenty points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, there is plenty of great action once again at both Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park.
I will play some today at both tracks with my main focus on attacking the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5. For those new to the game, the wager has a $1 minimum, a 15% takeout rate, features races from both Gulfstream and Santa Anita, and is now available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.
Race 7 Gulfstream Park:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Runnin’ Rocket; 5 Xy Speed
Backups: 7 Biz Biz Buzz
Forecast: 14-time winner #5 Xy Speed was made the 9-5-morning line favorite in this 5-furlong turf sprint for second-level allowance company. The 14-time winner was in chase mode throughout in the Janus on December 21, but that was against stronger competition than he encounters in here. The 9YO son of First Samurai is the one to beat, but I also like #2 Runnin’ Rocket. The War Front colt returned off a 7-week freshening on December 8 and followed the gate-to-wire winner around the all-weather in a similar spot. He has been freshened up by trainer Brian Lynch and could find himself on the lead from his inside draw. He is the best value in the race at his 8-1-morning line offering.
#7 Biz Biz Buzz makes his second start of the year after a runner-up effort at the same level on New Years’ Day. Mike Maker legs up Luis Saez for the first time. Expect an aggressive ride from the gate.
Race 9 Gulfstream Park:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 4 African Waters; 9 Queen of Naples
Backups: None
Forecast: I like #4 African Waters most in this 1 1/16-mile affair for MSW foes over the grass. Trainer James Toner added blinkers for the first time in her 2025 debut and she responded with a solid runner-up effort to a horse that put in a huge run from off the pace. Her two efforts since arriving in the Sunshine State suggest she is ready to finally break through. Hopefully Luis Saez can avoid getting caught up in an early tussle.
I will also include #9 Queen of Naples. The daughter of Hard Spun makes her first start for Brendan Walsh after a pair of runs last spring out west for Michael McCarthy. Her pedigree points to her being just fine with the stretch out to two-turns and the move to the sod. Walsh legs up his main man, Tyler Gaffalione.
Race 4 Santa Anita:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 1 Starts Now
Backups: None
Forecast: I am all in on 8-5-morning line favorite #1 Starts Now in the first of three in the sequence from “The Great Race Place.” The daughter of Mucho Macho Man makes her second start for trainer Richard Baltas after finishing a well-beaten second to a Jonathan Thomas trainee who got the jump on January 4. He draws favorably to the inside, which should allow Juan Hernandez to work out a perfect pocket trip. Living and dying with the NY bred in So Cal!
Race 7 Santa Anita:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 7 Eagles Flight (pictured)
Backups: None
Forecast: 4 of the 8 entered in this first-level allowance over the main track exit the January 4 race won by Miramahdi. The Bob Baffert trainee was hell bent early to get the lead and it turned out to be the right move. They ran 1-2 around the racetrack with 4-5-public choice #7 Eagles Flight finishing second. The half-sibling to Flightline is definitely not his older brother, but should be very tough to beat in his second start off the bench. Flavien Prat rode him a bit aggressively out of his inside draw in January to get forward position, but with an outside draw this afternoon he should find a perfect stalking spot with very little effort. Eagles Flight should be extremely tough to beat at a short price.
Race 8 Santa Anita:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 4 Sea Singer; 3 Red Cross Knight; 8 Men Among Men; 5 Sarwar
Backups: 6 Cathal; 1 Living Life
Forecast: The final race of the sequence was the one I found most challenging. 5-2-morning line favorite #8 Man Among Men attracts difference making Flavien Prat, but has not raced since last June and does not stand out on figures. Second-choice #5 Sarwar is capable, but has done his best work at Del Mar, while #2 Irish Prophet lost five straight to end his 2024 campaign for a barn that is just 2 for 32 over the last 90 days. I wish I liked had stronger conviction with a price option. I recommend getting as much coverage as possible, especially if you are fading multiple favorites along the way.
Good luck!!