Bernier: How I'd play Santa Anita for Saturday, June 20

I’ll be playing the late pick four at Santa Anita on Saturday using DRF Ticketmaker, but in a bit of a different style. Many like to go through and label runners as A’s, B’s or C’s – but sometimes I like to simply use A’s and C’s. This is the style I’ll be using here today.

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RACE 6

MIDNIGHT CITY (2) comes off a layoff and drops in for a tag today, and the class relief should work to his benefit. Joe Talamo sees fit to take the mount, and I’m expecting an honest effort from this Bob Hess Jr. trainee. GEORGE’S MAIN MAN (6) drops in class for trainer Mike Puype, and his best asset may be his early speed. In each of his past two efforts he’s been forwardly placed, and now he’ll have Flavian Prat aboard. Expect him to again be close during the early portions of the running. MOLTEN IMAGE (7) has taken money in all five of his starts and now will make his first start off the bench for 2014 Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Art Sherman. This son of Iron Cat bled in his most recent start, and if you draw a line through that effort he really hasn’t done much wrong in his career. Perhaps the drop to the lowest level of his career will get him back into the winner’s circle.

A: 2,6,7
B: NONE
C: 10

RACE 7

HARMONIC (3) has a bad habit of flipping back to his left lead late in the stretch, but he does pack a nice punch. I think he can get involved late in this $75,000 stakes race. SOUL DRIVER (6) exits the Pasadena, and Gary Stevens retains the mount. Stevens made a very aggressive move headed into the far turn aboard this son of Street Boss last out, and if he can wait a bit longer this time around he should be looming as the field turns for home. MADIBA (8) had absolutely no shot in his latest start, which came at Golden Gate, as he was all but taken out into the first turn when the pacesetter to his inside blew the turn. Now trainer Jerry Hollendorfer brings this $700,000 son of Candy Ride back to Southern California to make his second start on the turf, and I think he could be very dangerous.

A: 3,6,8
B: NONE
C: 2,7

RACE 8

I think the Summertime Oaks is a two-horse race, and they’re both drawn on the outside. STELLAR WIND (9) was the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks last month, and she figures to be very tough to beat here today. That being said, I like the fact that FANTASTIC STYLE (10) could prove to be the controlling speed, and that tactical advantage could be the difference. I loved the way Fantastic Style put away the rest of the girls she faced last out in a seven-furlong stakes, and now she’ll try to stretch her speed going two turns. They’re the only two I’ll use in the Summertime Oaks, with my preference being Fantastic Style.

A: 9,10
B: NONE
C: NONE

RACE 9

OVER PAR (2) appeared ready to roll at the top of the lane in his latest start, which came against stakes competition, only to have to steady and lose any sort of momentum he’d gained. Now he drops back in against maidens and should be a handful. UNUSUALY (11) makes his first start since May 2, and he shows up as a gelding. His two starts on grass have been far from disgraceful, and maybe he’ll appreciate stretching out to two turns today.

A: 2,11
B: NONE
C: 7,9