Free: How I'd play Santa Anita on Sunday, March 6
ARCADIA, Calif. – Rain is on the way, which means the second race Sunday at Santa Anita will move to the main track, and scratches are likely throughout the card. Therefore, the wagering plan will be brief – two wagers over three races for a total outlay of $20.
Race 3
Anxious Times bombed in his comeback, finishing fifth as the favorite at this $50,000 claiming level. But maybe the race was better than it looks. First of all, the pace was fast. The racetrack Jan. 22 was slow, and Anxious Times set fractions that were too swift for a horse making his first start in seven months.
He weakened into the lane. But after the wire, he was so full of run that jockey Gary Stevens had difficulty pulling him up. Anxious Times was claimed by Mark Glatt, he worked big since, and Stevens rides him back. Anxious Times figures for a good trip saving ground, second behind the speed.
At program odds of 5-1, Anxious Times is the “key” in the first half of a double.
Race 4
This $50,000 maiden-claiming race for California-breds is a “spread” with four horses. Cee the Preacher drops in class in the second start back, Black Tie ’n Tails has worked fast for his debut, Papa Joey also has a solid debut work pattern for a leading stable, and top choice Grand Command figures tough off his debut. He had trouble in his second start.
The bet
$2 double ($8 total):
Race 3: Anxious Times (1)
Race 4: Cee the Preacher (1), Black Tie ’n Tails (4), Papa Joey (6), Grand Command (7).
Race 5
Program favorite Lieutenant Colonel is the top choice and the horse to catch in this N2X route; second favorite Just Kidding will be rolling late. Meanwhile, the price play is an enigmatic pace presser at an appealing 8-1.
Rockport Kat has an alibi for his last-place finish in his most recent start and figures for a great trip pressing the tepid pace while racing outside in the clear.
Rockport Kat came out of his last-start debacle with a mild case of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. He was treated, responded, and in recent weeks has worked very well, according to trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Mario Gutierrez.
The fastest race by Rockport Kat is as fast as those of either of his two rivals. The wager is an exacta box that keys the second-most-likely winner with the two favorites.
The bet
$3 exacta box ($12 total):
Rockport Kat (4) with Lieutenant Colonel (1) and Just Kidding (2)