After a week off at Santa Anita Park, it is time for Opening Day of the springtime Hollywood meet at “The Great Race Place.” The 9-race slate kicks off at 4PM eastern/1PM local time and includes five races over the grass. Here are a few horses I plan to build my Opening Day around in Arcadia on Friday afternoon.


Race 2:
My first play of the meet comes in this state-bred MSW event at one mile over the main track where I like second-time starter #2 Blame It On Jack. The Peter Miller trainee stretches out to two turns after breaking slowly from his inside draw on debut going 6-furlongs versus similar on April 2. The Blame gelding was no match for the two betting favorites who were far more prominent early than he was two weeks ago, but he did run on to finish a well-beaten third. The softer field, added ground, and experience gained from his first start should all lead to an improved run as jockey Juan Hernandez jumps aboard this time around.

Play: #2 Blame It On Jack (9-5 ML)


Race 3:
#1 Cyprus Moon is listed as the 7-5-ML favorite in this non-winners of three claimer at 6-furlongs over the grass, but she has had very fair chances at this level in back-to-back starts and been unable to seal the deal. The Malibu Moon mare will likely be on the lead again, but I prefer the other likely speed #4 How Lovely. The Steve Knapp trainee drops out of a conditional starter allowance into this claiming spot and should have a tactical advantage on the chalk drawing to her outside. She has not necessarily proven she can settle just off and finish with energy, but her last couple of races have come against faster horses than she meets on Friday afternoon. I like her chances to gut this out under veteran Edwin Maldonado.

Play: #4 How Lovely (3-1 ML)


Race 5:
The pace in this $25k claimer over the grass that not only kicks off the late Pick 5, but also the $3 All Turf Pick 3 should be contentious. #1 Invincible Molly and #4 Shangrilama were prominent in their start last month at this level, but are likely to be in the second tier in this bunch given the presence of #2 Long Mayshe Reigns and #5 Ro Town. The race should really setup for a horse that can settle early and finish strong. I am hopeful that is #8 Special Flower. The 7YO mare makes her fourth start of the year after being caught very wide into the lane in the common race on March 13. She still finished with energy at nearly 9-1 to earn third. She has had all of her success over this course, draws favorably to the outside, and should relish the slight cutback to 6-panels. At 9-2 Special Flower offers fair value in a fun way to start a few of the bigger horizontals on the card.

Play: #8 Special Flower (9-2 ML)