Bigger fields add to challenge of hitting pick six

ARCADIA, Calif. – The lasting effect of a temporary reduction in racing days at Santa Anita is uncertain, but early indications suggest that less is better.

Santa Anita dropped Thursdays for the remainder of the meet, adopting a three-day schedule that helped lift average field size last week to more than 8.0. The jump happened even though only four fewer races were run than the previous week, when average field size was 6.4. The average field size for the corresponding week a year ago was 7.3.

Handle last Friday through Sunday over 30 races was virtually the same as for the corresponding week a year ago, when 36 races were run over four days, according to Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of track owner The Stronach Group.

Ritvo reiterated the four-day goal. “I want to make it clear, we want to run a four-day week,” he said. “It’s so much better for the industry to have consistency.”

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Meantime, the upshot of last week’s increased field size was direct – the median $2 win payoff was a healthy $8, and big fields Sunday made the pick six too tough. A carryover of $99,008 awaits bettors when Santa Anita resumes racing Friday with an attractive 10-race card.

The pick six covers races 5-10, though bettors may prefer the pick four on races 7-10 for a couple of reasons. The 50-cent pick four is more affordable than the $2 pick six and less costly based on takeout. The pick-four takeout is 23.68 percent. The effective takeout rate on the pick six is 35 percent after factoring in the 15 percent single-ticket jackpot provision.

Ritvo said Wednesday that the Santa Anita betting menu is almost certain to be modified for the fall meet, which begins Sept. 29. The current meet ends with a five-day week; closing day is July 4.

As for Friday, there are ample opportunities on a deep card with an average field size of 9.6, not counting also-eligible runners.

Along with increased field size, Santa Anita will be hit with increased temperatures. A heat wave descending on Southern California is expected to push temperatures into the mid- to upper 90s on Friday.

During extreme weather, horses are bathed before walking over from their stables, bathed again at the test barn, and sponged with cool water in the saddling enclosure.

“They get as much as three baths in a 20-minute span,” trainer Phil D’Amato said.

He will need plenty of water Friday. D’Amato has two key starters in the featured ninth race. Vigilante and Newsman are among the favorites in the 1 1/4-mile turf race, a second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claiming race.

Vigilante and Newsman finished second and fourth last out in a similar race. Vigilante’s effort was an improvement over his seventh-place comeback from a layoff.

“He kind of shook off the rust,” D’Amato said.

Newsman finished fourth after he pressed the pace. “We changed his running style last time, and I don’t think it suited him,” D’Amato said, suggesting that Newsman will be covered up Friday and rally late.

Leading contenders in the featured race also include likely pacesetter Mr. Roaring, the high-speed-figure starter Royal Albert Hall, and the dropper Power Foot. The others entered are Curlin Road, Editore, On Draft, and Oscar Dominguez.