Bernier: How I'd play Santa Anita on Saturday, April 25

Most of my attention Saturday will be focused on Gulfstream Park and the mandatory payout in the Rainbow 6, but Santa Anita has a few wagering opportunities that I find intriguing. I’m not anticipating the sort of potential return on investment I could possibly achieve at Gulfstream, but there is money to be made at “The Great Race Place” on Saturday.

RACE 2

WAR ACADEMY (2) makes his 2015 debut for Bob Baffert and figures to take significant money. A quick glance at his PPs show runs in the 2013 San Vicente as well as the 2013 Arkansas Derby. If he’s still the same horse he was back then, he has every right to win here. However, the fact that they return him to the races and put him in for a tag of $62,500 terrifies me. He may win, but he won’t have my money. Baffert also sends out CAMINETTO (4). Caminetto is a very fast horse – the only problem? This son of Stormy Atlantic has only raced once since 2012! He’s another who figures to take money, and I’ll gladly let him beat me. I’ll look to make a decent win wager on KAFISTER (1). This horse enters having won two races in a row, and his tactical speed is a huge positive. I love that Mike Smith stays aboard, and I’ll be playing him to win at odds of 5-2 or greater.

RACE 8

The Grade 3 Last Tycoon is the featured event Saturday, and while I love the way POWER FOOT (2) is coming into this race, I must acknowledge the pace scenario. There appears to be one horse who figures to be forwardly placed, and that’s JOES BLAZING AARON (4). He’s been hounded on the lead in his past few starts, and now that he doesn’t have anyone to push him too quick early, I think he’s in a very advantageous position. Tyler Baze has been riding beautifully as of late, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see this one still around in deep stretch. I do believe Power Foot is the most likely winner; accordingly, I’ll be playing exactas using these two runners – Power Foot over Joes Blazing Aaron for two units, Joes Blazing Aaron over Power Foot for one unit.