Free: Mandatory payout of big Santa Anita pick-six pool

ARCADIA, Calif. – Sunday at Santa Anita is a good day to swing for the fences.

Closing-day mandatory payouts in all wagers includes the pick six – a $641,690 traditional carryover plus a single-ticket jackpot total $821,858 combined. New money wagered Sunday should soar past $3 million. The effective takeout rate could be right around zero.

The pick-six sequence begins in race 6. Time for a closer look.

Race 6

This five-furlong starter allowance was run Saturday for males; the winner rallied from far off the pace. Although that style is an option in this same $12,500 starter for fillies and mares at the same distance, the legit 5-2 favorite, PRINCESS ASHLYN (7), is likely to tuck into a great trip positioned third behind the speed.

BE A LADY (8) is the 3-1 second choice, with speed figures that are more consistent and often higher than the favorite. Also, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer won four races Saturday. CORONADO COOL (1) has a shot with a rail trip. She rarely wins, but her current form is sharp. She merits upset consideration at 12-1.

Seven of the eight entrants finished first or second last out, including Los Alamitos-based speedsters PROPHETINPARADISE (3) and HERUNBRIDLEDPOWER (4). Depending on ticket size and structure, the idea of Princess Ashlyn as an opening-leg single is a viable option. The other idea might cost eight times as much (eight-horse field).

Race 7

A single on many pick-six tickets will be the 129-pound top weight VASILIKA (6) in this $25,000 claiming starter turf mile. The veteran outclasses the field, having won three straight, including a second-level allowance last out. There are a lot of ways to get beat in any race, but Vasilika looks too good. Perhaps one should accept the obvious and consider the pick six a virtual pick five with Vasilika a “free square.”

For backup-ticket consideration, 5-1 fourth choice MISS BOOM BOOM (1) is more effective at this shorter one-mile distance, while 20-1 bomber TWIRLING APPLES (5) is worth consideration. She is not fast enough on numbers, but she is getting better and up in class for a hot stable. QUEBEC (8), the second favorite, fits on the stretch-out/class drop.

The bottom line: Vasilika will be tough to beat despite carrying 129 pounds.

Race 8

CHASING LUCAS (2) is the 5-2 favorite in this sprint for Cal-bred maiden fillies and mares, based on her special-weight debut, runner-up while more than four lengths clear of third. But she is not much faster than 6-1 SUNRISE ROYALE (3), runner-up in her debut in a Cal-bred maiden claiming race.

THALIA (5) ran okay in her schooling-race debut; the sibling to stakes filly Enola Gray can improve second out moving to dirt. COCO KISSES (6) has two seconds from three starts at this level. This group looks evenly matched.

Race 9

Bettors who liked off-the-board Touching Rainbows on Saturday in the San Carlos might be reluctant to support his stablemates ANCIENT SECRET (9) or STORM THE HILL (7) in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes for filly-and-mare turf milers.

However, no trainer has won more graded stakes the past three years on the Santa Anita turf than Phil D’Amato, whose two Wilshire starters are live. Ancient Secret stretches to a mile off a sharp second in a Grade 2 turf sprint; she could get a great trip tucked third behind the speed. Storm the Hill reportedly has trained super for her return to California. A three-time winner on the Santa Anita turf, Storm the Hill could make the last run at 8-1.

SASSY LITTLE LILA (2) merits respect on the front end, although CORDIALITY (6) will keep her company, and none of the last 10 turf miles was won by a pacesetter. SOPHIE P (5), the favorite, won the Grade 1 Gamely last out. She fits in a Grade 3.

Race 10

Remember the name Catalina Cruiser, whose trainer, John Sadler, calls “one of the best horses everyone has not heard of yet.” Catalina Cruiser is poised for a big summer; the horse he defeated last out by two-plus lengths is favored in this second-level allowance sprint, optional claiming.

BEST TWO MINUTES (2) strung together two big efforts that are fast enough to win this. He crushed a claiming sprint with a 90 Beyer Speed Figure and then improved to 97 when finishing second in a N1X/optional $40k. Richard Baltas claimed him and protects him first start back (N2X, no claim tag). He will be tough to beat if he runs two alike.

ADENS DREAM (6) is speed, SO CONFLATED (4) has a productive trainer-jockey combo in David Jacobson and Martin Pedroza; DESERT LAW (3) will rally late. RIVER ECHO (1) has run races that are fast enough; ARISTOCRATIC (5) is quick and has decent figs. Best Two Minutes is the horse to beat. If he misses, several have a look.

Race 11

Down to the last leg, and favorite BEACH VIEW (5) is the one to beat in a second-level allowance at 1 1/4 miles on turf. He missed by a nose last out at the level, relishes this longer distance, and is sufficiently versatile to make his own trip. One could do worse than single Beach View.

RITZY A.P. (7) is tempting as a longshot pacesetter, while ANN ARBOR EDDIE (1) is suspect at this distance but intriguing at a price while stretching out. YA GOTTA WANNA (3) is not good enough. That is what most believed before each of his last three starts, all wins. He is a sharp horse moving up in class with an upset chance.

The pick-six pool will be big, and effective takeout will be small. Most races look logical. It’s a good day to take a small shot.

Post time for race 6 is approximately 3:15 p.m. Pacific.