Bernier: How I'd play the pick four at Santa Anita for Monday, May 27, 2019

The Memorial Day late pick four at Santa Anita features three Grade 1 races and a salty N1X that wraps up the card. There are sure to be some very short prices throughout the sequence – most notably GIFT BOX in the Gold Cup. A sequence like this is a perfect opportunity to use DRF TicketMaker, and that’s just what I’ll do.

RACE 7 – GRADE 1 GAMELY

Three fillies and mares seem like they stand out above the rest of the pack: RYMSKA (1), OLLIE’S CANDY (2) and VASILIKA (4). Given her track record, it may be foolish to move Vasilika away from anything other than an “A”, but that’s what I’m doing, simply because I think this is going to be one of the toughest tests she’s faced in a long time and she’s still likely to be favored. I’ve long liked Ollie’s Candy and will be curious to see what she does off the bench, and Chad Brown’s Rymska makes perfect sense in the Gamely, particularly at the nine-furlong distance.

A: 1, 2
B: 4

RACE 8 – GRADE 1 GOLD CUP

Simply put: GIFT BOX (5) should win this race. A replica of his effort in the Santa Anita Handicap against McKinzie gets the job done this afternoon, albeit at a miniscule price. He’s a lone “A” in my play, but if you’re so inclined to add a deep backup consider CORE BELIEFS (6). Core Beliefs was solid winning the New Orleans Handicap in his first start as a four-year-old, and if anyone takes a big step forward today, it could be him. I’m strongly against VINO ROSSO (7). He’s been an enigma to me throughout his career, and if he wins the Gold Cup, so be it.

A: 5
C: 6

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RACE 9 – GRADE 1 SHOEMAKER

The Shoemaker is another race where I feel three horses stand out above all others: SHARP SAMURAI (2), CATAPULT (5) and DELTA PRINCE (8). This may look foolish in hindsight, but I’m going to make Sharp Samurai a lone “A” in this race and relegate the other two to the “B” level. I love everything about Sharp Samurai, and while the long layoff is a concern, he’s proven himself fresh and loves the Santa Anita turf.

A: 2
B: 5, 8

RACE 10 – N1X

There are a few runners that makes sense in the nightcap, but I’m most interested in DUELING (9). Dueling was essentially eliminated going into the first turn of the Los Al Futurity last December, being floated nearly 10 paths wide. This could very well be a means to an end, with longer races as the goal, but I still think the talent is there and he should be able to run well. Others I’m using are ADENS DREAM (3) and CANDY CORNELL (4).

A: 9
B: 3, 4