The Breeders’ Cup is in the books but Santa Anita has taken steps to ensure that doesn’t mean the phenomenal betting at the Great Race Place doesn’t stop on Saturday.

Their 20-cent Rainbow Pick 6 has been on hiatus since Thursday (the Breeders’ Cup runs their own P6) and that means there’s a $436,837 carryover into Mandatory Payout Day on Sunday.  And that’s enough to catch my eye. 

Here’s the ticket I’m playing.  Also, please note, Santa Anita has a special early first post on Sunday (2:30PM ET) so the Pick 6 gets underway with Race 4 at 4:00PM ET. 

Race 4 (4:00PM ET) – Claiming – 6F on Dirt

The kickoff leg is a solid claiming sprint for three-year-olds and I think this field is a good mix of speed and closers that should open things up for any type.  The best of the speed is #2 OIL CAN KNIGHT, but his inside draw isn’t ideal.  If two or three horses outside of him have designs on leading, he’s going to face pressure from the start.  Also, the steep class drop off a layoff and subsequent poor performance, is a big worry.  #4 TOOTHLESS WONDER drops in class but he’s been up and down the ladder before and he can sit, stalk and pounce.  #6 MO DINERO will be forwardly placed but ‘won’ the draw from the perspective that he can stalk the pace from the outside of the other speeds.  

Race 5 (4:30PM ET) – Allowance OC – 1 1/4 Miles on Turf

You don’t often see 1 1/4-mile races in this country and the attracted field of 9 seems to support that.  All things considered this may be the best betting race of the day, with plenty of logical candidates to get the job done.  I’m going to go forward with the following horses on my ticket, in order of preference - #7 BUCKSTOPPER KIT, #6 CHOSEN VESSEL, #1 M TOWN GEM, #3 CRYSTAL TRIBLE and #8 REAL MASTER. 

Race 6 (5:00PM ET) – Maiden – 1 Mile on Dirt

Race 6 is a head-scratcher of a maiden race and the question facing handicappers is how legit was #3 TIZAMAGICIAN’s last race?  The 82 Beyer he earned towers over this field, but it was also a career top by 18 points.  Is he improving…or was that just a quirky race?  Speed figure jumps for young horses aren’t uncommon but it’s not wrong to view them skeptically.  I’ll use him along with #2 CALL ME DADDY.  He was well bet in his debut but trailed a field going 5 1/2-furlongs.  He should improve stretching out.  Also tossing in #6 COOL RUNNINGS, just in case he takes to the dirt better than he did turf.  His breeding suggests he should. 

Race 7 (5:30PM ET) – Maiden Claiming – 6 Furlongs on Dirt

This isn’t the world’s deepest maiden special weight so a horse like #3 TINSEL TOWN QUEEN catches the eye.  Kristin Mulhall is a capable conditioner and I love that she tagged Joel Rosario to ride.  That’s a big vote of confidence for a firster because you have to think Rosario isn’t going to pick up a mount in a cheap claiming race unless it has a shot.  #4 MORNING CYNN ran second at this level in her last race and makes my ticket even though she had a clean trip that day with no excuses.  On larger tickets you could push for #5 INFO’S TREASURE or #6 SUEZAAANA but they exit the same race and I just don’t think either is that good.   

Race 8 (6:00PM ET) – G2 Goldikova Stakes – 1 Mile on Turf

#5 TOINETTE has been a win machine in her career (6-for-9) and she’s a perfect 3-for-3 at Santa Anita.  Her only turf defeats came in the G1 Belmont Oaks and the G2 John C. Mabee against Vasilika.  Nobody in here is at that level, making her a clear single for me. 

Race 9 (6:30PM ET) – Claiming – 6 Furlongs on Dirt

The nightcap (meetcap?) is a claiming dash for horses that haven’t won two races and, as you can imagine, this field is pretty low on quality but high on quantity.  #10 BULLY FOR ERIC ran OK in a one-mile turf race off a layoff to start the meet and that should have him geared up for this race.  He’s ‘must use’ in my eyes.  #1 TEMPLE KNIGHTS is in good form (in the Tri in his last four races) and #5 BUCK DUANE is likely the speed of the speed.  His 1-for-21 record is a worry, though. 

My Ticket

Race 4: 2, 4, 6
Race 5: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8
Race 6: 2, 3, 6
Race 7: 3, 4
Race 8: 5
Race 9: 1, 5, 10

Ticket Cost (20-cent Base): $54.00