- Home
- DRF Bets
- Handicapping & PPsHorsemen's ProductsReports
- The Wizard
- DRF Gameplan
- Quick Sheets
- DRF Picks
- Today's Racing Digest
- Key Race Report
- Positive ROI Report
- Moss Pace Figure Reports
- Debut Reports
- BreezeFigs
Access past performances- DRF EasyForm PPs
- DRF Classic PDF PPs
- DRF Formulator PPs
- DRF HarnessEye PPs
- DRF Daily Harness Program PPs
Racing and Wagering InformationToolsHorse Racing Links- Race Tracks
- Casinos
- Account Wagering
- Breeding
- Racing and Charitable
- Contests/Games
- Regional/Free
- Radio Shows
Get the most out of
DRF's online PPs with
Learn more. - Entries
- Results
- NewsCategoriesTrack ReportsTriple Crown Special Events
Exclusive content available only with a DRF Plus Plan. See Plan Pricing. - Blogs
- Video
- Learn
- StorePast Performances
- Belmont Stakes Store
- Compare all DRF PPs
- DRF Formulator PPs
- DRF Classic PPs
- DRF EasyForm PPs
- See all Pricing/Plans
REPORTS PICKS Harness PPs - Events
- Sports Odds
Email
ARCADIA, Calif. - Caracortado was scheduled to be withdrawn from Saturday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita because of a tender foot, trainer Mike Machowsky said on Friday.
Caracortado’s absence would leave the turf sprint for California-breds with just five expected starters.
From an original field of eight in the 6 1/2-furlong turf race, Luckarack and Mega Heat were scratched on Friday morning. Caracortado was still in the race at that point, but Machowsky said he was concerned about a tender frog, or underside of the gelding’s right front foot.
Without Caracortado, Compari, the winner of the 2010 Sensational Star, when the race was a handicap, would be a heavy favorite against Ain’t No Other, My Summer Slew, Red Defense, and Tamarack Smarty. But Compari may not run, either.
[SANTA ANITA: Watch video previews and see Saturday's full card live]
Trainer Marty Jones said on Thursday that Compari could skip the Sensational Star for the $150,000 Arcadia Stakes over a mile against open company on Feb. 4. Compari’s win in the 2010 Sensational Star was the the first of three stakes wins that winter and spring for the now 6-year-old gelding.
“We’re kind of weighing a couple of starts,” Jones said.
Jones said that before news emerged that Caracortado was withdrawn.
The Sensational Star is the first of three stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita, part of the Sunshine Millions program. The three stakes will be incorporated with three of the four stakes for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park on Saturday to form the $1 Luck pick six, recognizing the debut of the HBO horse racing television show on Sunday.
Ain’t No Other, a three-time stakes winner based at Golden Gate Fields with trainer Steve Miyadi, will set the pace. Red Defense makes his first start since a seventh as the 2-1 favorite in the On Trust Stakes at Hollywood Park last month.
[LUCK PICK SIX: Watch video handicapping previews, follow the races LIVE]
Best Bets
A 5-year-old maiden-claimer with a history of breaking slowly is the most probable winner on the Friday-night card. Yikes. However, THREE LITTLE BIRDS ran super in his comeback two weeks ago, and can win this maiden-20 with a better takeoff. Off slowly, he uncorked a big middle move, lost ground sweeping four-wide through the turn, challenged for the lead turning for home, and then flattened out to finish fourth. It was a big effort by a gelding that benefits from an additional half-furlong. With a clean break in his third career start, this is a race he should win.
