Free: How I'd play Santa Anita on Sunday, Jan. 31
ARCADIA, Calif. – Rain is on the way. Three turf races Sunday at Santa Anita might be moved to the main track, including the Wishing Well Stakes for female sprinters, Race 5.
The wet forecast exacerbates an already bleak card. The only play Sunday is an “action bet” double that combines two low-odds standouts – the favorite in a restricted claiming race that is Race 4, with a dirt-only runner in the Wishing Well that is Race 5.
Race 4
AMBERELLA is listed at 8-5 in this $16,000 claiming route for fillies and mares, non-winners of three races. At 8-5, she would be a gift. She looks even-money or less.
A runner-up last out at this level, her speed should carry her to a pressing trip in this one-mile dirt race, a distance at which speed is required. Ten of the last 12 dirt miles were won by a horse within one length of the lead after a half-mile. Two others were within two lengths.
AMBERELLA will be forwardly placed. She gets a five-pound weight break over most rivals and is likely to sit in second behind probable pacesetter EASTER FEVER. When and if that one falters, AMBERELLA will get first run.
The trainer of AMBERELLA is Phil D’Amato, whose recent win rate with favorites is superb. Over the past three months, D’Amato is 13 for 22 with favorites, a 59 percent win rate. AMBERELLA is a single in the first leg of the daily double.
Race 5
The complexion of this race depends on rain. According to weather.com, there is a 100 percent chance of that happening. If so, this turf sprint would be moved to the main track, and dirt specialist CADET RONI would be a second standout.
CADET RONI won a N1X dirt sprint last out. She scored decisive wins in both recent starts on the Santa Anita main track. The pace-pressing filly figures for a good trip outside, in the clear. If this race moves to the main track, many of her turf-specialist rivals would scratch.
On dirt, CADET RONI should cruise. She is a single in the second half of the double.
The card is bleak. The play is a Races 4-5 double combining AMBERELLA (4) with CADET RONI (13). If the $2 double wins, it could return $10. Hooray.