Santa Anita Park is back open starting tomorrow (Friday) and we could not be more excited at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Not only do we have a $5,000 Hit & Split for that Opening Day card, but we also are putting $10,000 up for grabs for Saturday’s Exacta-Thon. The goal for those of you new to one of our most popular promotions is to connect on the most $2 exactas over the course of the card. Those horseplayers that register and are able to connect on five exactas over the card will split $7,500. The player(s) who hit the most get the other $2,500. Here are a few races I will be including in my exacta plays on the stakes-laden card.

Race 7:

This optional claimer at 6-furlong over the main track appears to have a lot of early speed signed on. #4 Devil Among Us, #8 Ballyvaughn Gig, and #9 Tiger in My Tank all have one way to go and #6 Hot Box has done a lot of his best work on or near the front end as well. This should bode well for #3 Supernal. The son of Sky Mesa was claimed for $20k by trainer Doug O’Neill in mid-May. O’Neill moved him back to the turf for a pair of races at Del Mar, but his races on the dirt over this surface prior to the claim is what has me most intrigued. The fact he goes third off the layoff and should have a strong foundation on the surface switch only adds to the case. I will key the 5-1-ML shot over a few others that also should benefit from the likely race shape, including #7 Four O Six Creed. The 5YO gelding has just 3 wins in 24 starts, but has hit the board in 19 of them! He is likely to be one of those picking up the pieces late.

Play: Exacta 3 with 1+5+7


Race 8: Eddie D (G2)

#1 Reef Runner brings the best form into this year’s Eddie D, but it is a different game down the hill than in 5-furlong dashes at Gulfstream Park and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. The rail draw on top of the change in configuration makes him worth fading despite his recent strong performances against quality competition. I prefer a couple of runners that have already had success over the Hillside Turf course, including top choice #8 First Peace. The 5YO shook off the rust last out in the Green Flash (G3) and gets the added ground he prefers. The outside draw down the hill should work out very favorably. #4 Sorrento Sky also should relish getting back to “The Great RacePlace”. The Phil D’Amato trainee has won 3 of his 4 races over this course and could get slightly overlooked in the wagering given the modest performances going 5-panels in San Diego County. I will use #5 Yellow Card underneath. The Lost Treasure colt has to prove himself still over this configuration, but could be poised for his best third off the bench for Michael McCarthy.

Play: Exacta 4+8 with 4+5+8


Race 9: Goodwood (G1)

#7 Full Serrano appears to be a bit of a standout in this 9-furlong affair for 3YOs and up. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner was on the sidelines until September 1 when he came back as a huge favorite and dominated a field of allowance foes. He should be fast enough to make to the front early. I expect him to have the stamina to seal the deal as well.

I am far less bullish on East Coast invader #4 First Mission. The son of Street Sense let me down in the Stephen Foster (G1) and then let the public down losing at 1 to 5 in the Iselin (G3). I will try to get him out of the number. Instead, I will use a pair of Bob Baffert trainees underneath Full Serrano. #5 Nevada Beach is the up and comer, but gets a major class test. The son of Omaha Beach relished the added ground in the Los Alamitos Derby and could be good enough to hang around for a slice. #3 Privman’s upside is capped to an extent, but did show strong determination in his allowance last out at Del Mar. He has every right to hit the board against this group.

Play: Exacta 7 with 3+5