They are back it at for the start of another racing week at Santa Anita Park after a fun Memorial Day weekend in Arcadia. A nice-race card that of course includes an All-Turf Pick 3 sequence that gets started in Race 5 welcomes horseplayers back to the “Great Race Place.” Remember, this player-friendly wager has a 15% takeout and a $3 minimum. Here is how I will attack it.


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 5:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1 Goje; 7 What’s a Good Name
Backups: None

Forecast: Even-money favorite #5 Holdthatrainbow aims to make a perfect 2 for 2 to start her career after working out a great trip to score at 7-1 on debut for Carla Gaines. The upside is there since Gaines is not necessarily a trainer, we expect to have her runners cranked at first asking, but the price is tough to swallow. I will try to beat the ML choice with two fillies. #1 Goje hopes to make it two in a row after grinding out her first career win over this course and distance 12 days ago. If she can work out a trip from the rail draw, she is highly capable. #7 What’s a Good Name is a wild card since she tries the grass for the first time. She draws favorably to the outside, attracts Joel Rosario, and is a full-sister to a runner from the same connections that has earned 3 of her 4 lifetime victories over the grass. She can certainly get to the wire first versus these if she is able to take to the surface switch.


Race 7:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: #4 I’m Otter Here
Backups: None

Forecast: I will lean on the 2-1-chalk in this starter allowance at one-mile over the turf where #4 I’m Otter Here should be set for another big run. The son of Munnings was caught 4-wide into the first turn, but was able to run a solid second at odds of 11-1 against similar on April 26. He has finished first or second in all 3 starts over this turf course and retains the services of Hector Berrios.


Race 9:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Latin Air; 5 Chef Kate
Backups: None

Forecast: I will try to bust things open in the final leg where the runners expected to take the most money have had plenty of chances. #7 Humidity and #9 G’oro are the two ML favorites, but tough to endorse. I will hope one of two lightly-raced fillies takes a step forward in their second career start. #2 Latin Air adds blinkers and stretches out to two turns after breaking slowly and chasing in her debut going 6-furlongs. Hopefully, the addition of shades has her prominently placed under Ricky Gonzalez. #5 Chef Kate also was outrun on debut after a slow start. Trainer Vladimir Cerin turns to veteran Edwin Maldonado in hopes the added ground will lead to big improvement. Neither of these runners is close to a lock to fire, but I just cannot swallow the chalk to close the Friday proceedings.