Not every Saturday card hits the same. Today’s card at Santa Anita shows just that.
Last weekend, my Horse Racing Happy Hour cohost and friend Barry Spears lamented the card. “Man, this is a tough one.” It was short on runners, and short on quality. A tough show to make much from.
This week, the opposite: full fields of competitive runners. Ironically, it’s an “off weekend” on the Southern California circuit, in that there are no graded stakes, and the major preps aren’t running at Santa Anita. No bother, these fields are deep, and competitive.
The Wishing Well is a 6 furlong turf sprint for older female horses - and the condition is that they haven’t won a graded stakes in the last 6 months. We’ve got a collection of old reliables, and a few newer shooters looking to move up the horse racing ladder.
Let’s meet the field, and put together our weekly wager. If you’re wagering on Santa Anita, check out our friends at AmWager! They have a 100% deposit match up to $150 for new customers - and are live in California!
Santa Anita, Race 7. The Wishing Well. 6 Furlongs, Turf. F&M 4+up. $100,000.
TOP CONTENDERS
6. Gratefully. 2/1. Jockey: Florent Geroux. Trainer: Robert Falcone, Jr.
Gratefully enters the race undefeated in her young career, a four race streak at 3 different tracks. She won on debut in the slop at Saratoga, before another off-the-turf win over muddy go at Aqueduct. She finally got to try turf in October, again winning at Aqueduct; she won for fun in her debut race at Santa Anita in January, in what should be considered similar company to this. Her speed figures have improved each race, and I’m not sure we’re anywhere near her ceiling just yet.
9. Jungle Peace. 9/2. Jockey: Antonio Fresu. Trainer: Phil D’Amato.
Jungle Peace is the sole graded stakes winner in the field - she won last year’s Grade 3 Senorita - that win being the final of a trio of triumphs, all over the grass course at Santa Anita. She then moved into tougher company and loner races - before getting some deserved time off. This feels like the right spot for a horse of her quality, and her recent works show the ever-capable training of Phil D’Amato.
8. Egyptian Mau. 9/2. Jockey: Juan Hernandez. Trainer: Neil Drysdale.
South African-bred Egyptian Mau is the best closer in this sprint field, and will have plenty of early speed to run at. Her best race stateside came over flat go at Del Mar, where she nearly got up in an allowance. She followed up with a win down the hill, but gets back to flat go here. If the pace gets too hot up front, look for her to be flying under Juan Hernandez late.
LIVE LONGSHOT
3. Imaboutago. 12/1. Jockey: Armando Ayuso. Trainer: Leonard Powell.
Iamboutago will likely stalk from off the pace, and showed a ton of in-race adaptability last out. She was close in the Daisycutter last year, and her win in her previous race shows she belongs at this level. Ayuso learned the craft on the synthetic at Golden Gate Fields - which taught countless jocks patience. He’ll give her the best shot possible.
The Sporting Tribune Wager
$3 Turf Pick 3, starts race 7 ($36): 6 / 2,4,5,10 / 4,9,10. Good Luck!