Sunday March 15 is a day for the horizontal horseplayer to attack at 1/ST Racing tracks. There are a pair of carryovers at Gulfstream Park, including a mandatory payout in the Rainbow 6, as well as carryovers in both retail only two track horizontals. In addition to all of this, Santa Anita Park has a $32,101 carryover in the traditional $2 Pick 6. The sequence kicks off in Race 4 at 5:36 PM eastern time/2:36 local time and includes the featured Santa Ana (G3). Here are my thoughts.

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.


Race 4:
Grade: X
Main Ticket: 4 Contrary Chieftain
Backups: None

Forecast: The sequence commences with an open $6250 claimer that was scratched down to just three. So regardless of opinion, taking a stand is almost always going to be the correct strategy. I will do so with the chalk #4 Contrary Chieftain. He ran poorly versus better competition last out, but two-back crushed #1 Mother’s Prayer in a race at this level. He draws outside and should be a tough customer.


Race 5:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 7 Beef Winslow
Backups: 1 Kokosan; 9 Sir Percival

Forecast: 2-1-ML favorite #7 Beef Winslow was a much the best winner in his 2026 debut going 6.5-furlongs on January 15. The 7YO gelding has rattled off two straight and has been at his best going a route of ground. He should be tough to hold off late, but I will also include a pair of up-and-coming 4YOs that should get the jump at far bigger prices. #9 Sir Percival will have to overcome the outside draw, but has done very little wrong thus far, while #1 Kokosan should get a far different trip than last out given his inside draw and less early speed signed one. Both can spring the upset with a favorable race shape.


Race 6:
Grade: X
Main Ticket: 2 Cash Call
Backups: 3 Ooty

Forecast: Trainer Bob Baffert holds the keys in this $71k allowance at 6.5-furlongs over the main track. The Hall of Fame conditioner has 4-5-ML favorite #2 Cash Call and long shot #3 Ooty. I much prefer the returning Cash Call to clear second choice #5 Thermal making her an easy key on most tickets. That said, the “other Bob” scares me a touch. Ooty cuts back to a sprint after racing last in the two-turn La Canada (G3). If the pace is lively early, this gal should be rolling late.


Race 7: Santa Ana (G3)
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 9 Resolve
Backups: 10 Mrs. Astor

Forecast: The Sunday feature goes through 5-2-ML favorite #10 Mrs. Astor. The 6YO mare has won 4 of 6 over this course, including her first start of the year back in mid-January. She is the class of the field, but has beaten up on mostly shorter fields than she encounters later today. I respect her chances against this bunch, but I will try to beat her with #9 Resolve. The daughter of Midnight Lute needs to avoid spotting the field too many lengths, but comes in off a pair of head defeats to kick off her 4YO season. She is just 1 for 16 in her career, but belongs in this spot and could get overlooked in the wagering.


Race 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Cash in Toknight; 7 Big Miss
Backups: 4 Southern Riff

Forecast: Two fillies are likely to take the lions’ share of the money in this state-bred maiden claimer over the main track. I will use #2 Cash in Toknight on the class drop, but toss #6 Twisted Humor. The Jeff Bonde trainee has burnt a good deal of money thus far and has struggled to seal the deal despite finding good spots in the early going. Instead, I will use a pair of prices, including #7 Big Miss. The daughter of Mr. Big was the best of the off the pace runner in her return to the races on February 15. If the pace is lively, she should have some energy in the lane.


Race 9:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 9 Rosa Parks
Backups: 1 Miyako; 6 Eiffel; 10 Tequillaandtherapy

Forecast: The finale is a first-level allowance event for fillies and mares at 6-panels where #9 Rosa Parks looms large. The Nick Alexander homebred moves off the rail to a more favorable outside draw after putting forth a strong second off the bench in mid-February. She should get a perfect stalking trip under regular rider Antonio Fresu. For those looking to beat the likely favorite, #1 Miyako could be dangerous if left alone on the front, but it is more likely the race falls apart. Perhaps #6 Eiffel is the one that can benefit. The City of Light filly had no chance given race dynamics in her first start off the bench. A different flow and a race after shaking off the rust could prove highly advantageous.