Bernier: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, Oct. 18
RACE 1
By no means did BLUE ANCHOR (2) beat a field of superstars when winning his maiden at Los Alamitos on Sept. 19, but he did defeat a solid Bob Baffert trainee named Dream Team. Sunday will mark Blue Anchor’s first try against winners, and he possesses enough speed to be involved in the running from the break. HOT LIGHTNING (6) has the advantage of breaking from the outside post in a field that contains a fair amount of speed, and although the blinkers go on, it would seem very likely that he’ll sit off the leaders and attempt to make his move rounding the far turn.
A: 2,6
B: NONE
C: NONE
RACE 2
STREET VISION (2) won his maiden last time in his second start, and it’s important to note that he did so at a distance longer than the one he’ll be running here. A repeat performance of his 87 Beyer Speed Figure on Sept. 27 and he’ll be very difficult to beat with Rafael Bejarano aboard. Others who must be considered include TOEWS ON ICE (6) for Bob Baffert and an intriguing horse who goes out for lower-profile connections, BIG FINISH (3).
A: 2
B: 5
C: 3
RACE 3
After a poor start and then a completely dull effort in his last, BROADWAY NIKA (3) drops from the open $18,000 claiming level to the $9,000 level for trainer Peter Miller. The class relief should prove useful, and he has races in his past that make him a major player against these. NOBLE KENT (6) makes his first start since being claimed by trainer Steve Miyadi on Oct. 2, and it’s interesting to note the equipment change (blinkers off). Over the past five years, Miyadi’s numbers with first-off-the-claim/blinkers-switch-to-off runners are strong: 6 for 25, 12 in the money. Add that Bejarano sees fit to take the mount, and you’ve got all the looks of a live runner here.
A: 3,6
B: 5
C: NONE