The racing week continues on Friday afternoon at the Great Race Place with a 10-race card that kicks off at 3 pm ET / noon local time. The card has a couple of intriguing maiden races, as well as the allowance feature at one-mile over the race track that goes as Race 9. Here are the horses I like most on Day 2 of what we are hopeful is the first full racing week of the year at Santa Anita Park.


Race 6:

I am far from creative in this MSW event at one-mile over the turf, but it is an important race for horizontal players since it is included in the Pick 6 and kicks off the late Pick 5 and All-Turf Pick 3. Therefore, I am willing to chalk it up with #6 Kokosan. The 4YO colt has had his chances so far, but is a stand out in this spot. Often times I am against horses at shorter prices that may look best, but have struggled to seal the deal for the first time despite a lot of tries. That is not really the case with this colt because he has never gone off the favorite. In fact, his lowest off odds were two-back at Del Mar when he was sent off at 7-2 in a compact group of 6. Trainer John Sadler thought enough of him to run him in the Hollywood Derby (G1) last out. He should finally find his friends in his first start of 2026.

Play: #6 Kokosan (9-5 ML)


Race 9:

The aforementioned Friday feature drew a compact group of 6 going 8-furlongs over the main track and there is not much early zip signed on. I am hopeful Kyle Frey takes advantage of the inside draw and sends 5YO mare #1 Chai to the front. The Washington-bred daughter of Race Day has competed in three consecutive one-turn races since arriving in the Bob Hess, Jr. barn midway through 2025. The fact she has been up close to the pace in the sprints leads me to believe the plan will be to go and see how far she can take them on the engine. The price should be fair enough on one of just two runners in the field with more than one lifetime victory.

Play: #1 Chai (5-1 ML)


Race 10:

The finale is a full-field $25k open claimer at 6-furlongs over the grass and I am hoping to take them gate-to-wire to close the day with #1 Cyprus Moon. Trainer George Papaprodromou put the blinkers back on this 5YO mare two-back against better and she ran off on the front end before tiring to finish a mid-pack sixth. She performed much better last out though when

dropped into a spot much more similar to this one at Del Mar. Papaprodromou is off to a strong start to the meet and I like the fact Umberto Rispoli sticks around. This gal should be tough to catch with a clean break.

Play: #1 Cyprus Moon (4-1 ML)