Free: Santa Anita pick four for Saturday, Jan. 28

ARCADIA, Calif. – The late pick four on races 7-10 Saturday at Santa Anita includes two Cal-bred stakes, an allowance route on dirt, and a maiden race on turf. Here's a look at the sequence, and a $72 ticket (50-cent minimum).

Race 7, California Cup Turf Classic

ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR (1), a multiple graded winner back from a short layoff, enters with one knock – odds. Ashleyluvssugar is 8-5 favorite, at a nine-furlong distance slightly shorter than his specialty. He is a must-use, despite the price.

HE WILL (7) was only prepping last out in a turf sprint, eighth with a compromising trip. His previous start, a highly rated N2X win, puts him in the picture at 8-1.

PATRIOTS RULE (8) is better than his sixth-place finishes during the fall meet. Assistant trainer Sean Williams believes the Santa Anita course was against the late runner. “That was a new turf course, and a lot more speed-favoring. The speed just didn’t stop for him,” he said. “If we can get some kind of pace in front of him, he’s sitting on a very good race.”

Patriots Rule, listed at 8-1, runs well fresh. He will get speed to run at.

The likely pacesetter is WHAT A VIEW (6), who has not regained the form he showed last winter and spring when he won four straight including this stake. As 5-2 second favorite, What a View would be relegated to back-up tickets. He is not included on this ticket.

RALIS (3) finished behind Ashleyluvssugar twice in the fall. However, Ralis has worked too well to dismiss in his comeback effort.

Use: Ashleyluvssugar, Ralis, He Will, Patriots Rule (1, 3, 7, 8)

Race 8, N1X route

Most Santa Anita winners at one mile on dirt are forwardly placed – 20 of the 28 winners (through Thursday) were within one length of the lead after the opening half-mile.

PRIME ATTRACTION (1) fits the profile. His up-front style led to a runner-up finish last out at this level. A lightly raced colt making just his fourth start, he is a worthy 3-1 favorite.

DADTAUGHTMEWELL (4) is in career-best form, with a winning habit. He has won two straight claiming races, 5 of 18 overall, and should be positioned in the first flight.

Prime Attraction and Dadtaughtmewell, the favorite and second choices in the program, are on the main ticket along with longshot front-runner surface-switcher Aldrin (6).

Others would be relegated to backup status, and will not be used on this play. They are: River Echo (2), a first-time gelding, and closers Madiba (5) and French Getaway (7).

Use: Prime Attraction, Dadtaughtmewell, Aldrin (1, 4, 6)

Race 9, California Cup Derby

It was surprising to see COILS GOLD (7) open at underlay zone odds of 2-1, yet the program favorite is the one to beat at 1 1/16 miles. He scored an impressive debut win for Bob Baffert, whose second-time starters that stretch out from debut sprint wins are 9-for-20 the past five years. Despite the price, Coils Gold is a must-use.

ANN ARBOR EDDIE (2) continues to improve; he won a route stakes going away last out in his first try around two turns. He is a 5-2 second choice in the program.

The improving longshot SIX POINT RACK (6) might be better than the 65 Beyer in his maiden route win. The race was flattered when third-place finisher won next out; trainer Mike Puype has won with two of his last four starters facing winners following a maiden score.

Use: Ann Arbor Eddie, Six Point Rack, Coils Gold (2, 6, 7)

Race 10, maiden turf route

PAVELSKI (1) made the Daily Racing Form horses-to-watch list after his better-than-looked sixth in a seven-furlong dirt debut. By the excellent turf stallion Street Boss, Pavelski gets top billing at 8-1.

PANAMA PAPERS (6) finished second last out under similar conditions in his local debut, while PACIFIC SURF (8) provides coverage on the front end. Finally, a bomber listed at 30-1 is worth inclusion. YOU'LL BE LUCKY (4) adds blinkers and should show more speed after a debut in which he dropped too far off the pace to make any impact.

Use: Pavelski, You’ll Be Lucky, Panama Papers, Pacific Surf (1, 4, 6, 8)

Pick four (50-cent)
Ticket cost $72

Race 7: Ashleyluvssugar, Ralis, He Will, Patriots Rule (1, 3, 7, 8)

Race 8: Prime Attraction, Dadtaughtmewell, Aldrin (1, 4, 6)

Race 9: Ann Arbor Eddie, Six Point Rack, Coils Gold (2, 6, 7)

Race 10: Pavelski, You’ll Be Lucky, Panama Papers, Pacific Surf (1, 4, 6, 8)