Bernier: How I'd play Santa Anita for Saturday, March 28

Much of my attention will be on the cards at Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds on Saturday, I do like the late double at Santa Anita on Saturday afternoon. I will try to get a single home in the featured event, the Tokyo City Cup, and score with one of my preferences in the nightcap.

RACE 8

BRONZO (4) is sure to take his fair share of money in Saturday’s feature, but at the end of the day I haven’t been impressed with any of his U.S. efforts to date. Maybe the additional distance will work in his favor, but I’m going to take a shot against. SKY KINGDOM (8) is another who will take quite a bit of money in this spot, and while he has every right to win I would rather take my chances with a lightly raced runner who should have the tactical advantage over the rest of the field. ARLINGTON HOUSE (5) won his maiden just two starts ago, and that was in a $50,000 claiming event. He repeated last out in his first start against winners, and while it wasn’t the most impressive of victories it’s encouraging to see the horse he held off returned to win next out with an 88 Beyer Speed Figure. Arlington House is very likely to be loose on the lead, and we’ve seen many times where horses going marathon distances can get brave on the front end when left alone. I will single him in my late double as well as play him to win at odds of 4-1 or greater.

RACE 9

The nightcap on Saturday appears to be a wide-open maiden special weight on the grass, but there’s one intriguing runner who could be ready to move forward in a major way. SELECTION (9) is 0 for 7 thus far in his racing career, and truth be told he hasn’t done much running at any point in any of his races. He was claimed last out by Jorge Gutierrez from Tom Proctor, and now he gets the works – going from dirt to turf, first-time blinkers, first-time gelding, and now receives the services of Rafael Bejarano. There is some pedigree to speak of for this son of Candy Ride, so I won’t at all be surprised to see this one step up in a big way. I will also use PRENTENTIOUS (10) and ACTION HERO (7) in my doubles.

THE PLAYS

$10 double – 5 / 9
$5 double – 5 / 7,10