After a Saturday that saw mostly formful results, including Rashimi’s victory as the odds-on choice in the Wilshire (G3), they are back it for one more card to end the racing week at Santa Anita Park. The 9-race slate is headlined by the $100,000 San Carlos (G3) at 7-furlongs over the main track. Here are a few horses I have my eye on later this afternoon in Southern California.


Race 1:
I am going to take a big swing to start off the day in this 9-furlong affair over the grass for protected non-winners. #4 Off Your Rocker debuted in a realistic spot for trainer Leonard Powell with little fear his 35-1-longshot would get claimed at first asking. The son of Rock Your World failed to hit the board at a big price that day, but really impressed me with his late run and gallop out. The 3YO gelding moves up to take on MSW foes and quite frankly meets a field where the favorites do not scare me. It is a lot to ask and it will require a better ride from Cesar Belmont than he has given most of his grass mounts over the course of the winter, but the price should be right to gamble in the opener.

Play: #4 Off Your Rocker (12-1 ML)


Race 2:
Hopefully, we are alive in the early Double heading into this MSW for fillies and mares at 7-furlongs over the main track where #1 Wolf Hill is a vulnerable 7-5-ML choice. The upstart filly has had five chances already in compact groups and has been unable to get to the wire first. Her upside is limited at this point as well, so I will look to a filly that has far more in #2 Bad Manners. Trainer Richard Mandella has had this daughter of Into Mischief on the sidelines since her debut last August against a live MSW field at Del Mar. She was a well-beaten third that day, but took on far better horses than she meets today. Mandella is strong off the break since he is sure to have them ready before getting them back to the races. I like this gal’s chance of besting this group off the lengthy break.

Play: #2 Bad Manners (5-1 ML)


Race 5:
The pace should be honest in this key race for Pick 5 players since it closes out the early and starts the late. Given the probable race shape, I am singling #5 Amplitude. The son of Uncle Mo has failed to hit the board in two starts since moving out west into the John Sadler barn. That said, he encountered stronger competition than he meets later today. Sadler takes the blinkers off this 5YO that should get a fast pace to run at. Kazushi Kimura will be back aboard. If he is able to save ground early, he should have a ton of horse late.

Play: #5 Amplitude (3-1 ML)