By Xpressbet
EXTRA INCENTIVES$5,000 Exacta-Thon | Santa Anita | today’s races$10 Money-Back Special | San Felipe (SA), Tampa Bay Derby (Tam) | up to $10 back if win bet finishes 2nd, 3rdSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 10-11-12; Santa Anita Races 9-10-11Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 7-10; Santa Anita Races 3-4-5TOURNAMENT TIMEBeat the Host Championship Round (qualifiers only) | details$6000 Ultimate Betting Challenge | details$40 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $144,005 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 5 | 3:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $62,481 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:13 pm ETPick 5 | $24,712 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 6 | 4:15 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $56,290 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETSunset 6 | $69,988 | Gulfstream / Santa Anita | begins GP Race 10 | pm ETKEY RACESTampa Bay Downs | Race 4 | 1:56 pm ET | Challenger StakesLaurel | Race 6 | 2:38 pm ET | Conniver StakesAqueduct | Race 4 | 2:44 pm ET | Gander StakesLaurel | Race 7 | 3:09 pm ET | Not For Love StakesTampa Bay Downs | Race 7 | 3:27 pm ET | Columbia StakesGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:50 pm ET | Silks Run StakesTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:29 pm ET | Hillsborough StakesSanta Anita | Race 4 | 4:34 pm ET | Beholder Mile StakesAqueduct | Race 8 | 4:48 pm ET | Maddie May StakesTampa Bay Downs | Race 10 | 5:00 pm ET | Florida OaksTampa Bay Downs | Race 11 | 5:35 pm ET | Tampa Bay Derby | Meet the ContendersOaklawn | Race 9 | 5:44 pm ET | Azeri StakesFair Grounds | Race 9 | 5:45 pm ET | LaCombe Memorial StakesGulfstream | Race 11 | 5:52 pm ET | Hurricane Bertie StakesSanta Anita | Race 8 | 6:41 pm ET | San Felipe Stakes | Meet the ContendersSanta Anita | Race 9 | 7:12 pm ET | Kilroe Mile StakesSanta Anita | Race 10 | 7:43 pm ET | Santa Anita HandicapTurfway | Race 8 | 9:25 pm ET | Big Daddy StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 1 | 12:50 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 7 | 3:27 pm ETTurfway | Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Tampa Bay Downs | all 9 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | jockey Manny Franco | 3 wins from 7 mountsYesterday | Charles Town | 20-cent jackpot pick 6 scooped by single ticket for $67,994PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Full-Card Analysis for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Santa Anita HandicapScott Shapiro: Triple Crown Prep Race Picks – San Felipe, Tampa Bay DerbyJeremy Plonk: Tampa Bay Downs Late Pick 4 Analysis for SaturdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section
By Al CImaglia
Northfield Park has a 14-race card with the $1.00 Late Pick 4 starting in Race 11. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a 14% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:40 PM EST)3-Pams For Real (4-1)-Was used early last time and faded to take a distant 4th. Regular driver Kurt Sugg steers here and he could make a positive difference. Comes back in sequence this time, could land on the point and not burn as much gas. Looks like a player and has taken 6 pictures in 26 starts at Nfld.7-Not That Hillary (5/2)-Aaron Merriman will be out and rolling and could get the lead or a pocket ride behind the one above. The mare has won 3 of 4 at Nfld but hasn't tested this level. Likes to win, this isn't a deep bunch and hopefully won't be over bet.Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)3-Stay Salty (2-1)-Beat this kind on 2-28 going gate to wire drawing off by over 3 lengths. Worked to get on the engine but after that controlled the mile. Dan Noble will look to be in command early on and it looks like a 2-horse race with Maggie Time that leaves from post 1. Will lean here, this mare is better at sealing the deal.Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)6-Lady Rita (5/2)-Has been handicapped with the 8 and 7 posts the last 2 races. Raced well hitting the board but did not connect for a win. Sliding in 1 slot could make a difference, especially with the program chalk leaving from the 8-hole. Conditioner Sam Schillachi and Merriman do well together combining for 34% winners.8-High Flyin" Filly (2-1)-Comes off a sharp score at this level at Mea and has won 3 of the last 4 starts. Raced at Nfld 2 and 3 back, was hung the mile on 2-14 but posted a win on 2-7 going off at 3/5. Left from the 7-hole in the win here and has been the chalk in the last 4 races. Has the gate speed to get a good early seat and will be a small price again.Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)1-The Dragon Queen (8/5)- The Kent Sherman entry drops to a soft spot, Merriman gets the call and sheds post 9 for post 1. There are things to like no doubt but recent form versus better has been dull. Will overlook those struggles, this is the 3rd race since 12-7, and the camera shy mare is in a spot to wake up.6-How About Murph (20-1)-The veteran mare seems to like coming off cover and rolling late. Did that 2 back to cash a 3rd place check at 68-1. Took some money in last and came a dull 4th leaving from the rail. Comes back in sequence this time and could be overlooked. Will use and hope Brandon Rhoades is in striking range turning for the wire.$2 Late Pick 43,7/3/6,8/1,6Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!
By Jeremy Plonk
Get set for the season’s biggest day at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday when five stakes races make up Tampa Bay Derby Day. A trio of those are among the late pick 4, a sequence that lacks an obvious single but also looks to be reachable without a terribly deep leg.Tampa Race 9: Hillsborough Stakes (4:29 pm ET)The Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf ended in an absolute melee and several alumnae from that race re-matched. The deep-closing winner Destino d’Oro got the pace set-up and avoided any issues rallying wide. Don’t see the same set-up here. #6 Child of the Moon is a fresh face and hits a second-off-the-layoff form cycle for the ever-dangerous Chad-Irad team. Won a similar situation to open 2024 before missing all of 2025. Of the Pegasus returnees, #1 Whiskey Decision got a rousing 105 BRIS late pace figure in that one, which is not easy to do in a fast-paced race, even if you’re a deep closer like her. #8 And One More Time could get an easier pace this time after a wide draw really made her work for it near the engine at Gulfstream. I’ll dance with a trio: 6,1,8 in order of preference.Tampa Race 10: Florida OaksWith strong early speed in the extreme inside and outside posts, that’s often a recipe for an even faster pace than expected as one hustles to keep position and the other hustles to avoid ground loss into the clubhouse turn. The beneficiary may be #5 Dandona, who returned from 8 months away to run a solid allowance third with an eye-popping 111 BRIS late pace figure. She may be rolling late under Prat for Saffie against a field typically in the 80s late. No doubt #7 Time to Dream (pictured) is the filly to beat if she runs back to her early 2YO form. The Todd Pletcher trainee also benefits from the projected fast pace. Two will do: 5,7.Tampa Race 11: Tampa Bay DerbyNothing creative here. #6 Further Ado was one of the more impressive juveniles a season ago, has been aimed at this race and the Blue Grass all winter and has hit the mark with a perfectly spaced workout tab. Couldn’t see much on video through the fog in a few of those moves at 1st.tv, but showed good energy through the lane. #9 Canaletto was brilliant in his Gulfstream debut, but an outside post and lighter-than-expected late pace figure in a blowout 1-turn mile victory, make me want to demand more value intra-race. Still a big threat. #5 Powershift would be so surprise at all off a big maiden runner-up to a rival headed to the Louisiana Derby. Trainer Pletcher won the Sam F. Davis with maiden Renegade and could continue that. Covered with quality: 6,9,5.Tampa Race 12: maiden special weightChad Brown virtually owns the turf filly races, so when he sends out a pair of maidens with Irad Ortiz and Flavien Prat partnered, it’s safe to say they’ll be formidable as he’s 35% wins and 50% in the exacta at the current Tampa meet. #8 Fund Flows debuts under Irad, while Parfois was DQ’d from a debut victory in France in August and returns under Prat. But don’t sleep on the 2-3 finishers of a Jan. 21 local heat that was won by a $500,000 rookie for Tom Proctor. #10 Consider Me First and #5 Tiz the Lady were sharp in defeat in a race that finished faster the fourth quarter than the third-quarter split, typically a good sign for a turf mile. You could bet only on Brown, but I’ll use more: 5,8,10,11.The Ticket6,1,8 with 5,7 with 6,9,5 with 5,8,10,11 = $36 for $.50
By Scott Shapiro
Santa Anita Park takes center stage on Saturday afternoon with their 11-race “Big Cap” Day card. The racing kicks off at 3PM eastern/12PM local time and includes four graded stakes events. It also marks the return of 1/ST BET and Xpressbet’s Exacta-Thon. The goal this time is to hit 5 or more $2 exactas over the course of the afternoon. Those who connect on at least 5 will earn an equal split of $4000. The horseplayer(s) that connect on the most will take down the other $1000. Remember to register and best of luck! Don't forget a $69,988 carryover in the Sunset 6 wager today, matching the final 3 races at Santa Anita and final 3 at Gulfstream. Here are my full card thoughts. Grade Descriptions: A= Highest Degree of Confidence, B= Solid Play, C= Least Preferred or Pass, X= Likely Winner but at odds probably too short to wager on.Race 1:Grade: B-Use: 3 Booked ClubhouseForecast: The opener is a state-bred MSW event for 3YOs sprinting over the sod where 3-1-ML favorite #3 Booked Clubhouse looks like the one to beat. The Sean McCarthy trainee put in a strong run from off the pace without a setup in his first start off the freshening. The effort was flattered when the winner of that event came back and won in his first start versus winners. He should get an honest pace to run at on the slight cutback with Kyle Frey sticking around.Race 2:Grade: BUse: 7 Simple Song; 6 Red Flag; 4 The Last StrawForecast: #6 Red Flag is the one to beat in this first-level allowance at 6-furlongs after two strong efforts since being claimed at Del Mar last November by trainer Jeff Mullins. However, he has had favorable flows in both starts where #7 Simple Song has not. The son of Munnings sped to the lead off the break for Mark Glatt on January 2 in a race that collapsed late and then did not run well, but again was part of a contentious early pace in his follow up try on January 31. Glatt puts the blinkers on for the first time and Simple Song very well could control things without issue in his third start off the bench. Hopefully, he has more stick in the lane. I will key Simple Song with Red Flag and potential up setter #4 The Last Straw for my first Exacta-Thon play on the day.Race 3:Grade: C+Use: 4 Cosmic Heat; 1 Umbralle; 3 Surfin’ USAForecast: I lack a strong opinion in this first-level allowance other than I expect #2 Will Happen to get over bet. Trainer Richard Baltas is just 3 for 44 with a $0.72 ROI over the last 60 days and this gal has not raced since early October. I will use a few in early horizontals in hopes of besting the ML chalk. Good luck to the late, great Jeff Siegel and Eric Sondheimer’s #3 Surfin’ USA!Race 4: Beholder Mile (G1)Grade: XUse: 4 SplendoraForecast: I have no interest in trying to beat 4-5-favorite #4 Splendora in the first of four graded stakes races on the Big Cap Day agenda. The daughter of Audible has rattled off four in a row, including a dominant win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. She could be forced to work going two turns, but in the end, she should prevail once again under Juan Hernandez. Perhaps cold punching an exacta play with the chalk on top could be a smart way to approach this race from an Exacta-Thon perspective.Race 5:Grade: BUse: 5 Dakota Country; 6 Jimmy Blue JeansForecast: What a cool horse #6 Jimmy Blue Jeans is. 2 for 2 to kick off his 8YO season after failing to win in 8 starts in 2025. He is the one to beat in this starter at one mile over the turf, but perhaps #4 Phospherence moving inside him may make things a bit more difficult for the veteran Cal-bred. I think #5 Dakota Country is live either way at a big price. The NY-bred stretches back out to two-turns after just missing at 40-1 going one-turn on February 21. The son of Mucho Macho Man has proven experience at a route of ground and could fall into a perfect trip with Tiago Pereira taking the call.Race 6:Grade: B-Use: 10 Captain Shreve; 7 Duke Silver; 9 Memory; 1 Crude Velocity; 3 Decisive WinForecast: Obviously, one of the trio of Bob Baffert first-time starters have a strong chance to get to the wire first in this 6.5-furlong main track event that kicks off the Pick 6, but I am intrigued by a pair of others. #10 Captain Shreve holds the experience edge at the tricky 6.5-furlong distance and should have options out of the gate from his far outside draw. This could prove beneficial in the final sixteenth of a mile. #7 Duke Silver has no experience, but is likely to be forgotten on the tote. The son of Silver State commanded $335k at the OBS April ’25 sale, which is noteworthy since his sire stands for just $7500. He comes in off a steady work pattern for Mark Glatt.Race 7:Grade: BUse: 1 Mo SashaForecast: The post is not ideal for a 6-furlong turf sprint, but #1 Mo Sasha should still be very tough in this MSW for 3YO fillies. The daughter of Constitution lacked early speed in her first start over this course in late January, but showed some serious talent splitting two speed horses with a big late run to earn second. Juan Hernandez will have to work out a trip given the inside draw, but I do not think the Michael McCarthy trainee has that much to beat in the start of the late Pick 5 and All-Turf Pick 3.Race 8: San Felipe (G2)Grade: B-Use: 3 Secured Freedom; 4 BrantForecast: For a deeper dive into my thoughts on the Triple Crown prep check out my blog from yesterday, Horse Cents with Bailey Armour, or the 1/ST Call Podcast with Jeremy Plonk, but there is no doubt #4 Brant is supposed to win this race with his best. The question is what is his best in terms of two-turns making #3 Secured Freedom the bet. The Practical Joke colt had a brutal trip in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) yet kept trying to the wire. He holds the recency edge over the likely odds-on favorite making him worth a Win wager with our Money Back Special offer. Or maybe some of you would prefer a 4-3 exacta for the Exacta-Thon promo.Race 9: Frank Kilroe Mile (G2)Grade: B-Use: 1 Mi Hermano Ramon; 2 AlmendaresForecast: The only thing I am confident about in this year’s Kilroe Mile is barring scratches there should be an honest early pace. Not only is #3 El Potente likely to show his customary speed, but the quick #6 Mi Bago ships in for Mark Casse, in addition to #5 Cabo Spirit and #7 Final Boss, who do their best running when upfront as well. I wish I trusted an off-the-pace runner more, but my lukewarm top choice is #1 Mi Hermano Ramon. The Mark Glatt trainee makes his first start since late spring ’25, and probably prefers a bit more ground, but he draws favorably along the inside and should get the right setup.Race 10: Santa Anita Handicap (G1)Grade: C+Use: 4 Vodka Vodka; 6 British IslesForecast: Unfortunately, this year’s Big Cap field lost a couple of those originally entered, but there is still some opportunity despite the compact group. #3 Just a Touch and #2 Getaway Car are likely to take the most public support by a pretty significant amount, but I will try to beat them with a pair of prices. #4 Vodka Vodka should be ready for the 10-furlong test. He has been freshened up by trainer Aggie Ordonez after a win over the grass against lesser in mid-January. He has a shot to spring the upset, as does #6 British Isles. The Justify gelding ships back west after a decent fifth in the Pegasus World Cup (G1). He has been given time and should have no issue with the 1 �-miles.Race 11:Grade: B-Use: 9 King of Dragons; 2 Gold Council; 3 HighplainsdrifterForecast: Trainer Mark Glatt holds a strong hand with the two favorites in the finale. #7 Infinitum and #1 Warm Sun and Brew both make plenty of sense to be there at the wire, but I do not trust either of them to seal the deal. I will try to beat them with a pair of prices that should get good trips from the inside, as well as top choice #9 King of Dragons. The Peter Eurton makes his third start off the bench after a poor start cost him all chance two months ago. Eurton lures Hector Berrios for the first time. Hopefully, he can angle over and save ground early before a strong run late.
By Al CImaglia
Hoosier Park begins the weekend with a 14-race card and the 0.50 Pick 4 starts in Race 11. The sequence has a low 12% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:20 PM EDT)7-Little Rocket Man (8/5)-Local hero returns to its favorite track for the 1st time this year. Comes to town after 2 wins at MVR versus Open Company. It would take an off-night to lose to this group and David Miller should provide a winning trip.Race 12 (9:43 PM EDT)1-Peace Star (5-1)-Missed a start before the last race and raced well from post 7. Did finish a distant 2nd to a well-meant winner and has had success at HoP ( 17-3-4-3). The team Husted pupil fits, like a top of the stack trip and that can happen. Using in a race without a standout.9-Wildcat Abbey (5-1)-Won 2 back at this level, then faced some tougher customers at Nfld and was hung the mile. Rallied from the backfield in his last win on 2-13 and can be in the mix with a sharp steer by Brandon Bates.10-A Major Omen (8-1)-Gets a positive driver change in Luke Plano and raced better with the same pilot 2 back. Will take a swing for a price as Peace Star should leave. That should help the veteran get an inside trip and use one move down the lane to roll by.Race 13 (10:06 PM EDT)3-Gullfaxi (7/2)-Was claimed out of this Series after winning handily as the chalk. Makes the 1st start for the Dillon barn and they are 0-10 after a claim. But this 7-year-old comes off a sharp score and should be forwardly placed off the gate. Using in case the chalk doesn't have its fast ball.5-Ponda Executive (8/5)-Won handily at 8/5 on 2-20 and has posted 12 wins in 34 starts at HoP. Trace Tetrick should be on the point or in the packet around the opening turn and the race should go through the Tyler George trainee.Race 14 (10:29 PM EDT)3-Tickertape Hanover (4-1)-Finished 2nd against a tough winner in last and has been in good form for quite a while. Faced similar in the last 2 races. Won 2 back, then got the top last time, the pace was hot and faded down the lane. Could get a kinder trip from the 3-hole and Kyle Wilfong is more than capable.7-Lotsa Knock Us (5/2)-Comes off a race versus Open company at MVR and the water was deep. Drops to a spot shine and had success in the past against this company. Likes to race on this oval (59-10-13-7) and has the gate speed to be in play when the wings fold.$2 Late Pick 47/1,9,10/3,5/3,7Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!
By Jeremy Plonk
SPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 7-10; Santa Anita Races 3-4-5TOURNAMENT TIME$1000 Ultimate Betting Challenge Qualifier | details$100 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $62,722 | Mahoning Valley | begins Race 3 | 1:11 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $105,431 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 4 | 3:15 pm ETSunset 6 | $17,993 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 4:23 pm ETPick 6 | $45,603 | Santa Anita | begins Race 4 | 5:06 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $52,009 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $62,575 | Charles Town | begins Race 3 | 8:02 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 3 | 1:36 pm ETOaklawn | Race 7 | 4:38 pm ETTurfway | Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBruce Kravets | Penn National | 7 of 8 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Fair Grounds | jockey Jose Ortiz | 3 wins from 5 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Pick 6 Carryover Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli: Sunset 6 Carryover Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section
By Scott Shapiro
Another Friday means more carryovers at Santa Anita Park! The Sunset Pick 6 was unsolved last Sunday leaving horseplayers with a $17,993 carryover in the two-track $1 wager, while the same was true of the traditional $2 Pick 6 in California where there is $45,602 in free money awaiting. Frank Carulli has you covered on the Sunset Pick 6.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 4:Grade: BMain Ticket: 3 Allequin Summer; 1 FionelloBackups: NoneForecast: The sequence kicks off with this state-bred first level allowance event at 6-furlongs over the main track where I am expecting a contentious early pace. This should bode well for a pair of runners, including top choice #3 Allequin Summer. The Son of Summer Front raced in Kentucky against open company foes to kick off his career, but made his first start out west on February 14 and won convincingly with the addition of blinkers for the initial time. Trainer Paula Capestro retains the services of Mirco Demuro. Demuro is a rider worth following. Hopefully, he springs the upset to get things rolling.Race 5:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 7 Adverse Selection; 5 Pure ChaosBackups: NoneForecast: I will also go two-deep in this state-bred MSW event over the lawn where I am hoping one of two fillies exiting a race on January 11 earn their first lifetime score. #7 Adverse Selection is the 5-2-ML favorite after making a big run in that aforementioned 6-furlong affair almost two months ago. She has plenty of questions to answer given her lack of early speed and experience around two-turns thus far, but has plenty of upside and meets a modest group. I will use her along with #5 Pure Chaos. The daughter of Sir Prancealot makes her first start in the Richard Baltas barn after missing by a neck in the same spot the chalk exits. She has two-turn experience, but also has been exposed. I still like her chances to run a big one in her first route try since last October.Race 6:Grade: CMain Ticket: 6 Galloping Ghost; 3 Positive TimesBackups: 7 One Step BeyondForecast: I lack a meaningful opinion in this 6.5-furlong sprint for protected Cal-bred maidens over the main track. #3 Positive Times has speed, but has yet to show the ability to finish with significant energy. That said, he has a chance to make a loose lead and be tough to catch to late. I slightly prefer #6 Galloping Ghost. The Grazen gelding makes just his second career start after a slow break on debut in the same race Positive Times exits. The Craig Lewis trainee took a solid amount of support in that first try and should have more to give after gaining invaluable experience last month.Race 7:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 2 Twirling PointBackups: 6 City ExileForecast: I also lack creativity in this 9-furlong turf race for first-level allowance foes where I landed on 5-2-second choice #2 Twirling Point. The Augustin Stable runner makes his second start of the year after battling early and tiring late in the 10-furlong San Marcos (G3) in mid-February. Antonio Fresu rode him that day and is back aboard here. I am hopeful he gets aggressive given the lack of early speed entered. Either way, I expect him to sit a favorable trip, perhaps stalking just off the pace of #1 Wizard of Westwood. If they go at it more than I anticipate, #6 City Exile is the one that is likely to pick them up. The son of Cityscape beat significantly softer competition on February 1, but did it well. He makes his second start off the claim for trainer George Papaprodromou.Race 8:Grade: BMain Ticket: 4 Joint VentureBackups: NoneForecast: I will take a stand in this optional claimer over the main track with #4 Joint Venture. The Mizzen Mast gelding stretches back out to a route of ground after a late running third to shake off the rust going 6-furlongs in mid-February. The Ron Ellis trainee has been at his best going two-turns and should get a favorable trip off a lively early pace. Jockey Welfin Orantes has struggled at the meet, but I am hopeful he can navigate a clean trip on the best horse to kick off the late Double.Race 9:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 2 Bad to the Bones; 9 Bolt SupremacyBackups: 5 Six MagpiesForecast: It is difficult to have confidence in any of the 9 entered in this $25k non-winners of two claimer over the grass, but I am willing to take on the chalk. 2-1-ML favorite #4 Silly Rabbit will attract a lot of money given the competition and his early speed, but struggled to seal the deal last out despite having things his way. He is almost a certainty to get overused in the sequence. I will toss and use a few in hopes of beating a short-priced horse to conclude the day.
By Frank Carulli
The elusive Sunset 6 wager remains there for the taking if anyone can pick the last three winners on the Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita cards this Friday. The prize pool for the $1 wager begins with a $17,993 carryover. Here’s a closer look:GP 8th race (4:23 p.m. EST) -- -SONIC SURGE, a $170,000 sales buy, finished behind three next-out winners in MSW company in his second start three months ago, including Gotham Stakes (G-3) winner Iron Honor. He drops in for a tag and gets Lasix in his first start as a gelding for a high-percentage barn with similar types. He appears an all-or-nothing type, but at a projected short price, look to a pair of first-time starters to begin the Sunset 6. MO RAPIDO shows a pair of bookend workouts in :46-and-change for trainer Victor Barboza Jr., whose 19-percent debut win rate is skewed a bit by a 4-for-30 record with first-out maiden claimers the last two years. Similarly, trainer William Walden is 2-for-12 the last two years with debut maiden claimers, all but one at 6-1 odds or less. But Starship Juliet’s sire, Maclean’s Music, posted a record 114 Beyer in his debut and her dam, Tiz News, had two stakes winners from four foals that raced.GP 9th race (4:54 p.m. EST) -- GIANT TEDDY dueled gamely outside the favorite through rapid fractions before the trip-sitting winners and deep-closing runner-up took over in mid-stretch. He draws a similar post in his second start off the re-claim by trainer Martin Drexler and has a passing gear, if needed, with speed to his inside. He is the first of three solo plays.GP 10th race (5:24 p.m. EST) -- MENTEE won a Grade 3 stakes race the first time he ran on turf as a 2-year-old, beating stablemate Gate To Wire – a subsequent stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed sprinter for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Problem is, he hasn’t raced since the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, though his works indicate readiness.SA 7th race (6:36 p.m. EST) -- With three solo plays surrounding this evenly-matched turf marathon, hit the ‘ALL’ button to encompass the six entries.SA 8th race (7:06 p.m. EST) -- JOINT VENTURE just missed a one-mile three-peat in the fall and returns to his favorite distance off a useful 6F comeback. He’s versatile, too, and could sit a perfect stalking trip in his bid for $100,000 in distance earnings.SA 9th race (7: 36 p.m. EST) -- Going six-deep in a field that is a combined 4-for-75 on grass and unlikely to reach the Beyer par of 80 at this level. SPUN NOT STIRRED just missed in a slow-paced mile on the main track and steps up off the claim for trainer Genero Vallejo, who has two wins and two seconds from his last 15 claims, many at double-digit odds like this one. BAD TO THE BONES got up for third behind runner-up SILLY RABBIT, who controlled a slow pace in a longer turf route race won by the favorite. SIX MAGPIES, one of two entrants to win at one mile, parlayed consistent form into an average 72 Beyer in his last nine starts on turf. PRECISION made a middle move and flattened out in the same race against SILLY RABBIT and others, but he’s worth using at 12-1 on the morning line because trainer Hector Palma began last year with four consecutive turf winners off the claim on the Santa Anita lawn. BOLT SUPREMACY is 1-for-21 on turf, mostly sprinting, but his last two starts on the class drop to the $25,000 level were ok. He ‘gained while easing out’ wide on the turn in a dirt sprint, then he skipped conditions to a nw/3 turf sprint and earned an improved speed figure.Suggested $1 TicketGP 8th Race: 2, 7GP 9th Race: 5GP 10th Race: 3SA 7th Race: ALLSA 8th Race: 4SA 9th Race: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9Cost: $72