Free: How I'll play Santa Anita for Saturday, Feb. 4

ARCADIA, Calif. – Which 1 1/16-miles race for 3-year-olds will be faster Saturday at Santa Anita – race 1 for maidens, or the graded stake that is race 2?

It is not a trick question.

REACH THE WORLD makes the second start of his career in the opener. If he improves from a better-than-looked debut, it will not be a surprise if he runs faster than the winner of the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes a half-hour later.

Or maybe the hype is overblown. But in this handicapper’s opinion, Reach the World at 8-5 on the morning line is a massive overlay.

Notwithstanding his ordinary 74 Beyer, Reach the World ran super first out at one mile. He stayed on the rail, took dirt while inside and behind rivals, cut the corner into the lane, rallied inside, missed by a length, and galloped-out alongside the winner

Reach the World, a rookie, ran like a pro. Assuming he improves, the Tapit colt should make short work of maidens. After that, if he is good enough, it is on to the Derby trail.

Best bet on the card – Reach the World at 8-5 or higher.

However, if Reach the World gets bet down, perhaps the value Saturday is deeper on the program, such as a late double on races 8 and 9.

Race 8
The distance of the Grade 2 San Antonio was mistakenly changed this year from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/16 miles. That won’t help closer HOPPERTUNITY, the program favorite. If he wins his second straight San Antonio, it will be because the speed stopped. That does not happen often around here.

Ten of the 11 races this meet at 1 1/16 miles (through Thursday) were won by a horse positioned among the first three. In the San Antonio, the speeds are front-runner EL HUERFANO at 12-1, presser DALMORE at 8-1, and “most likely winner” ACCELERATE at 5-2.

The daily double will use all three, and press with Accelerate.

Race 9
TEXAS RYANO is favored at 3-1, but the Grade 2 San Marcos is his first start in more than two months at 1 1/14 miles - shorter than he prefers. The top choice by this handicapper, his low odds makes him a play-against.

A RED TIE DAY, ITSINTHEPOST, ISOTHERM, and TWENTYTWENTYVISION offer value. All four will be used in the double.

Late double ($2) = $24 play
Race 8: El Huerfano, Dalmore, Accelerate (4, 6, 7)
Race 9: A Red Tie Day, Itsinthepost, Isotherm, Twentytwentyvision (1, 3, 11, 13)

Late double ($2) = $8 play
Race 8: Accelerate (7)
Race 9: A Red Tie Day, Itsinthepost, Isotherm, Twentytwentyvision (1, 3, 11, 13)

That’s $32 in doubles, and a win bet on race-1 favorite Reach the World at 8-5 or higher.