After a Friday that saw a big upset early and formful results late at the Great Race Place, they are back at it at Santa Anita Park. A strong 10-race card that kicks off at 12:30 PM local time is led by the $100,000 Wishing Well where undefeated Gratefully tries stakes foes for the first time. Here are the horses I plan to lean on throughout the day in Arcadia.

Race 1:
The opener is a state-bred first-level allowance event at one mile over the grass where there should be an honest pace at the very least. Longshot #1 Arkadelphia has no choice but to go from his inside draw while #3 Dark Blue, #7 Maker and Sons, #8 Dark Omen, and #9 Can’t Help Myself have all shown speed at some level thus far as well. This should set things up beautifully for #4 Third Beer. The son of Mendelssohn drops back into the state-bred ranks after stalking a slow pace in the Eddie Logan last month. His running style and class are likely to be too much in the lane for this group of 3YO males.

Play: #4 Third Beer (3-1 ML)

Race 3:
I will take a bigger swing in this open company first-level allowance also at two-turns over the Santa Anita sod with #7 Baltic Fire. The daughter of Flameaway made her first start off a 3-month break on January 31 in the Megahertz (G3). Not only was the competition too much for this 5YO mare evidenced by her 60-1 off odds, but she also had no real chance after being caught three-wide on the first turn and remaining wide throughout. This could happen again with jockey Cesar Belmont back in the saddle this afternoon, but the price should be right to hope he gets a big setup and shorter voyage from start-to-finish for veteran trainer Simon Callaghan. Hopefully, the drop in class leads to her first score over this course.

Play: #7 Baltic Fire (6-1 ML)

Race 9:
My final play of the day out west comes in this first-level allowance event down the hill where I expect #5 Yacowlef to run a big race in his first start of 2026. The 6YO gelding was re-claimed by trainer Jeff Mullins for $50k last October after losing him in late winter for $40k. Mullins gave the Irish-bred a freshening before bringing back on December 28 in a similar spot to this one. Yacowlef was unable to get to the wire first, but finished a strong second in a race where no other runner made much of an impression from off the pace. Look for the son of Kessaar to get a more favorable setup this afternoon. Hector Berrios is back onboard and should be loaded in the lane.

Play: #5 Yacowlef (6-1 ML)