The racing week at Santa Anita Park gets an early start meaning the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 and Sunset Six do as well. That’s right, on Thursday racing occurs both in Hallandale Beach and Arcadia meaning the $30,568 carryover from Sunday in the Sunset Six will be live beginning at 3:47 eastern when Gulfstream Park’s seventh race commences.

But wait, Xpressbet and 1/ST BET are giving horseplayers an extra reason to play on Thursday afternoon. It is our new April promotion called “Blooming Bankrolls.” It occurs each Tuesday and Thursday and is simple. Just bet $100 on the select track listed on the promotional landing page and earn $10. The best news of all is Santa Anita Park is our select track for Thursday and we have opted to include Sunset Six wagers as part of the promotion making it a no brainer to get play with us! Here are my thoughts on the player friendly two-track wager that includes the last three races at both 1/ST Racing tracks.


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 7 Gulfstream Park:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1 Drama
Backups: 3 All I Do

Forecast: The sequence gets started with this $17,500 claimer for 3YO fillies where #1 Drama was made the 7-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker Brian Nadeau. The Florida-bred drops in for a tag for the first time, draws the rail, and is likely the speed of the speed. She comes in off a runner-up effort to another horse that would be heavily favored in this spot making her the clear one to beat. If she loses though, it is likely to be a runner from off the pace that takes advantage of a contentious first half mile. #3 All I Do fits the profile. The Win Win Win filly makes her first start off the claim for trainer Jose D’Angelo. I am not sure she is good enough, but if they go fast early, she should be rallying late under Samy Camacho.


Race 8 Gulfstream Park:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 7 Losmastix
Backups: 3 Bronze Bullet

Forecast: #3 Bronze Bullet is expected to be a significant favorite in this state-bred first-level allowance event at 5.5-furlongs over the all-weather. The Leinster colt is the class of the field and gets the best rider in Luis Saez, but perhaps 5.5-furlongs is a bit sharp for him after a pair of turf routes to kick off his 3YO season. I will use him as a backup since he is an obvious major player, but I prefer #7 Losmastix. Two-back the Antonio Sano trainee broke a bit slowly from the rail and was in catch up mode chasing a dominant odds-on winner. Then he moved off the inside and won going away. I love the outside draw for this colt that has hit the board in all four starts to begin his career.


Race 9 Gulfstream Park:
Grade: B+
Main Ticket: 2 Noche de Damas
Backups: None

Forecast: I am going to take a stand in the sequence with #2 Noche de Damas in this optional claimer over the turf where I expect most horseplayers to go at least a couple deep. Combine that with her 9-2-ML price and it could really prove a worthwhile single. I like this Classic Empire filly moving back to the turf after a third-place finish last out over the all-weather. The William Tharrenos trainee put forth a strong late rally two-back in her lone start over the turf finishing second to a runner that would be favored in here. The pace has a chance to be contentious, which would bode extremely well for this late running Kentucky-bred. Jose Morelos will ride for the first time.


Race 6 Santa Anita Park:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 5 Army Man
Backups: None

Forecast: From a strategic perspective it is probably wise to single in this first-level allowance over the turf unless you like one of the two prices in this compact group of five. Unfortunately, I do not and will opt to single #5 Army Man. The Florida-bred looks like lone speed to me assuming stablemate #1 Bust Out does not opt to go from his inside draw on the stretch out. The Michael McCarthy runner ran poorly last out in the Pasadena, but was a big price that afternoon after breaking his maiden two-back over this course. Emisael Jaramillo has had an outstanding first winter in Arcadia. I am confident he will be the aggressor in a race that also kicks off Santa Anita’s $3, 15% takeout late Pick 3.


Race 7 Santa Anita Park:
Grade: C
Main Ticket: 3 Bolt Supremacy; 1 Magic Connection; 7 Novinophobia
Backups: None

Forecast: I lack a strong opinion other in this non-winners of two claimer over the main track other than I am not willing to single likeliest winner #1 Magic Connection. This son of Connect has finished second in back-to-back starts at this level, so he is the logical one to break through for his second win, but he certainly had a fair chance in his last two. Hopefully, #3 Bolt Supremacy bounces back off being eased in a grass race last out. The fact he is back quickly suggests all is fine.


Race 8 Santa Anita Park:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 2 Robin With a Why
Backups: 3 Sensational Dream; 4 We Salute You; 7 Kitty Mauren; 6 Queen Kimba

Forecast: I am fading 7-5-ML favorite #5 Bint Al Dandy in the finale. The 5YO mare drops in for a tag for the first time after having several chances with good trips as the favorite against better. There is no doubt she is capable of besting these off the drop, but I simply do not trust her to seal the deal until she proves she can. #2 Robin With a Why is the one I like most. She also drops in for a tag for the first time and adds blinkers for the first time. I am hopeful jockey Edwin Maldonado can get more speed out of this gal. If so, I think she gets the jump on the chalk and finds a way against a modest group. If not, it is anyone’s race.