Bernier: How I'd play Santa Anita on Sunday, Sept. 28

After a wild Saturday of racing from coast to coast, I’ll play very sparingly Sunday at Santa Anita. Both of my plays will revolve around the feature on Sunday’s card, the John Henry Turf Championship. Not only will both plays revolve around that race, but they’ll both revolve around one horse in particular – Big Kick.

I think Big Kick is the truest speed in the race, and because of that, I’ll look to key him in trifectas. Ideally, Victor Espinoza sends him to the lead and opens up as many lengths as he can and tells the rest of the field, “Come and catch me!”

I’ll key him in all three slots along with Big John B, Starspangled Heat, Bright Thought, and Irish Surf.

Here are the plays:

7 / 1,6,8,9 / 1,6,8,9
1,6,8,9 / 7 / 1,6,8,9
1,6,8,9 / 1,6,8,9 / 7

I’ll also be beginning a daily double play, singling Big Kick in the opening leg. This race is truly an “all-in” sort of race for me. If Big Kick doesn’t run, I lose – plain and simple.

The second leg of the double will be a maiden special weight going six furlongs contested by 2-year-old fillies.

I know I want both of Bob Baffert’s first-time starters here, those being Olivia’s Greatdane and Girl Downstairs.

Although Conquest Superstep missed a bit of training a few weeks ago, I’m going to use the Mark Casse trainee here. The main reason? Super Saver’s juveniles have come out firing, and I like the fact that she’ll be breaking from the far outside post for her debut.

The last horse I’ll use in this wager will be the second-time starter for Tom Proctor, Show Stealer. It needs to be noted that her works on dirt are considerably sharper than the ones over the Polytrack at Del Mar, and she figures to take a step forward for a trainer who does very well with horses making their second career starts.

Here’s how the play looks:

7 / 1,4,10,12