Bernier: How I'd play Santa Anita for Saturday, May 9
Saturday’s card at Santa Anita lost a bit of its luster when champion Beholder came down with a fever and had to be scratched from the Grade I Vanity, but it’s still a nice card that provides a few decent opportunities for the wagering public.
RACE 1
I’m way against the likely post time favorite LONDON LEGACY (7), and I think the most likely winner of the race is NARDO (6). Having said that, I will look to create some added value by playing exactas using Nardo and the first-time starter going out for Don Warren, CONTEMPLATE (4). This colt is a sibling to Tempting Fate (4 for 9 in dirt sprints) and Overly Tempting (2 for 4 in dirt sprints); he debuts for a barn that does very well with first-time starters, and I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility that this son of Vronsky fires at first asking. I will play an exacta of Nardo/Contemplate for two units and reverse it for one unit.
EXACTAS: 4 / 6 for two units, 6 / 4 for one unit
RACE 7 & RACE 8
I like a horse that will be running in race 8, The American, so I will look to be alive to him in a daily double beginning in race 7. The seventh race is a rather competitive, and I think the wagering public can go a number of different ways. PAT THE BEAR (5) makes his first start as a gelding for trainer Peter Miller, and he has shown some ability in each of his starts against winners. He will switch back to dirt for his first start since the gelding process took place, and he figures to have a say in the outcome. BRONZE STAR (10) makes his first start since last October for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, and while Bejarano goes elsewhere it’s good to see Mike Smith take the mount. It also must be acknowledged that Bronze Star won his maiden against the likes of Prospect Park and Pioneerof the West – two runners who were on the Kentucky Derby trail. If he’s ready off the bench he could be dangerous. BALLADO’S BANKER (11) is a complete “X-factor” in this race, but I’m taking the approach that if Bejarano sees fit to take the mount this one is likely live.
In The American I really like GABRIEL CHARLES (4). I’ve always been a fan of this son of Street Hero, and I was very happy to see him return to the races last month off a nearly year-and-a-half layoff. He ran into the supremely sharp Phil D’Amato runner Midnight Storm that day, and I won’t hold that against him. All in all it was a solid return to the races, and it was an effort that should enable him to move forward. There appears to be some pace signed on in this spot and I think Gabriel Charles will be rolling late.
DOUBLES: 5,10,11 / 4