Over the last few days, I have seen clever names like Carryover-Copia and Bettors Bonanza Friday for the big day coming up at Santa Anita Park and 1/ST Racing, but what really matters is the pools up for grabs for horseplayers after tough sledding on Sunday in Southern California. For starters, the $2 Pick 6 at Santa Anita has over $45k in carryover money and the Super Hi-5 sits at nearly $36k. Added to the mix is a $48k+ carryover in the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5, which kicks off at 3:30 PM eastern at Gulfstream Park. Finally, the one I am most looking forward to, the Sunset Six, which has over $54k in free money to chase on Friday afternoon. I am hopeful to hit it for the first time.


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.


Gulfstream Race 7:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 8 Magic Red; 1 He’s a Beast
Backups: 5 Thought Control

Forecast: The sequence kicks off at 4:04 PM eastern with this 7-furlong dash for protected maidens. I am going to take a swing against 7-5-ML favorite #7 Skellig Michael. The Battalion Runner gelding has lost in back-to-back starts at odds-on making him very difficult to trust. I will try to beat him with a trio, including top choice #8 Magic Red. The first-time starter for Saffie Joseph Jr. lured jockey Edgard Zayas from #5 Thought Control and has been working steadily since mid-July in preparation for his debut. He is far from certain to fire a big shot, but is one worth including on all tickets at anything close to his 8-1-morning line offering.


Gulfstream Race 8:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 9 Zo Zucchera
Backups: None

Forecast: I have no desire in trying to beat the 7-5-ML choice though in this starter allowance over the grass. #9 Zo Zucchera makes her first start off the claim for trainer Jose D’Angelo. D’Angelo finds a great spot for this gal that comes in having won 2 in a row over this turf course. Not only is he able to protect his new trainee, but she meets a field of horses that for the most part are faster over the all-weather. The fact D’Angelo often moves his new runners up first off the claim only adds to the case. Single city.



Gulfstream Race 9:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1 Neblina; 4 Maerdama; 8 Sweet Sash
Backups: None

Forecast: 2-1-ML favorite #4 Maerdama obviously makes sense on the big drop in class, but at the same point the 5YO mare is tough to trust since she has lost already at 2-5, 8-5, 1-2 through her first 5 starts. The voided claim in New Jersey in May gives Saffie Joseph a bit of a free pass to drop into this $8kN2L spot and likely he does not mind losing the Girvin mare, but there are others capable as well, including 10-1 shot #1 Neblina. The daughter of Cairo Prince drops to the lowest level of her career after chasing the pace last out. Second start in the Victor Barboza Jr. barn could lead to a career best effort for a filly that has races to go back to.


Santa Anita Race 7:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 7 Paradise Lake; 5 Hannah Buckle
Backups: None

Forecast: #7 Paradise Lake looks like the one to beat in this second-level allowance event at 1 1/8-mile over the Santa Anita sod. The daughter of Uncle Mo has proven form over the distance and has shown an affinity for the course already. She appears to be ready to fire a big shot off the freshening. If she takes a step backwards though, #5 Hannah Buckle might be ready for a big effort for trainer Leonard Powell. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners filly is bred to appreciate stretching out to 9-furlongs for the first time. Hopefully, jockey Armando Ayuso avoids leaving her with too much to do late.



Santa Anita Race 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Auditory
Backups: None

Forecast: This open $10k claimer goes through #2 Auditory. The Audible filly ships into Arcadia after a win against starter foes at Los Alamitos. The fact she has proven form over this surface gives me confidence she should handle this modest field. If I am not all in on her, I would have to use most of the field.



Santa Anita Race 9:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 1 Stolen Treasure; 3 Vodka Vodka
Backups: 9 Oobubbakakayo; 4 Freeport Joe

Forecast: The sequence concludes with a state-bred first-level allowance at one-mile over the grass where I expect 2-1-ML favorite #8 Winning Patriot to get over bet and overused. He was 13-1 last out, had a really good trip, and was second best. He can win, but I am singling a pair of favorites already and I do not expect his trip to be as comfortable on Friday. Therefore, trying to beat him makes sense. #1 Stolen Treasure is my top choice. The son of Nyquist makes his second start off the long layoff for trainer Edward Freeman after a prep going one-turn over the Los Alamitos dirt. The inside draw should lead to a favorable prominent voyage for the Reddam Racing homebred. Hopefully, we get here and four shots to beat the chalk!