After a Friday that saw mostly formful results at the “Great Race Place,” they are back it at on Saturday afternoon for a 9-race card that kicks off at the normal 12:30 PM local time. The slate is headlined by the Buena Vista (G2), which marks the return of Phil D’Amato trained Thought Process. The 9-5-favorite looks like the filly to beat in the feature. Here are a few horses I like most on the day out west.


Race 1:
The afternoon in Arcadia kicks off with a $25k claimer for non-winners of two traveling one mile over the lawn where there is very little early speed signed on. This should bode well for #5 Newport Dreamz. The daughter of Danzing Candy goes two sprints to a route in her third start of the form cycle for trainer Tim Yakteen after a pair of even efforts at one-turn over this course. The lack of zip on paper should allow jockey Welfin Orantes to get this gal to the front. Hopefully, from there she has the stamina in the tank to seal the deal for the second time in her career.

Play: #5 Newport Dreamz (4-1 ML)


Race 3:
My next play comes in this optional claimer at one-mile over the grass for older fillies and mares where I will hope #8 Dea Matrona can make it back-to-back wins since being claimed in late August by trainer Richard Baltas. It has been a slow winter for Baltas evidenced by his 4 for 41-record with a $0.99 ROI over the last 60 days, but that did not prevent this mare from finishing with a flurry in an open $25k claimer on January 30. Baltas protects this daughter of Dark Angel this time after the strong late run last month and finds a group that she should handle if she gets just an honest pace to chase. Emisael Jaramillo will pick up the mount with Juan Hernandez on the sidelines.

Play: #8 Dea Matrona (7-2 ML)


Race 8:
Trainer Jeff Mullins has had a strong Classic Meet and has really got things going as of late. The veteran conditioner has won with 5 of his last 9 starters heading into Saturday afternoon and sends out a pair in this $25k claimer for 3YO fillies. #1 Darlin Sugaree was made the 8-5-ML favorite, but I prefer #8 Dakota’s Shadow. The daughter of Stay Thirsty takes on open company foes after a dominant 7 � length romp in her first try over this surface on January 9. Jockey Diego Herrera should have options out of the gate from his outside draw in this filly’s first start against winners. Hopefully, she avoids regression off of the big maiden win less than two months ago.

Play: #8 Dakota’s Shadow (9-2. ML)