Hammersly: How I'd play Santa Anita on Sunday, April 19
The traditional early double holds some appeal, and it could help bolster your bankroll for later in the day.
ROCKET HEAT looks like a solid single in race 1. He appears the speed of the speed and comes off a near-miss second in a spot like this March 26 when beaten just a head. That was first time vs. winners and first time vs. elders and he should be better for the experience and figures long gone. Of course, he won’t be much of a price to back on the win end, but for the double he can be hooked up with FLAT FOOTED MAMA who comes off a decent third in a race just like this behind two gals who would both likely be favored in here; and WATER ISSUES, who finished full of run in a sprint down the hill here March 26 to finish fourth beaten less than a length. That was her first start in almost 11 months so she can move forward off that outing and she seems better playing this longer game.
Races 3 and 4 are fairly inscrutable, and race 5 looks chalky, so the next options may come in races 6 and beyond. Here are a couple runners later on the card who could prove useful for your in-race and multi-race wagers.
Race 7
HOME RUN KITTEN looks poised for a win in the Grade 3 San Simeon down the hill. He’s shown before he loves this layout as he’s won two of his three starts on it, the lone loss coming in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last fall when only 11th. He’s much better than that and has shown it with three strong mile tries here since, finishing second (beaten a neck) in the Grade 2 Mathis Bros. Mile, third in the Grade 2 Arcadia, and third in the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile. He’s a closer, and there’s ample speed signed up here to give him the kind of pace he wants.
In-race, he can be used with HOLY LUTE, who may be the speed of the speed and returns to the hill after fading to seventh in the Kilroe Mile; PURE TACTICS, who simply fires every time and has the versatility to give his rider options; and SWEET SWAP, defending champ who looked back on his game with a wire-to-wire win down the hill last month.
Race 9
CHARMING STARLET has burned some money and had plenty of chances (11), but it may finally be her turn. Also, if anything, she seems to be getting better. After a couple fourths, she popped up with a big second on this hillside course (beaten a nose) Feb. 15 and was second in a turf route here March 5. Returning to the hill may be what she needs to break through and get her diploma.
It also helps she’s not facing much other proven turf power. The others in here who have run on turf such as REDO IT and SCUTI DE PATUTI have handled it but haven’t shown the same type of form on it as Charming Starlet. And after them, you’re left with a bunch of firsters and a few who have run on other footing. It looks like it’s finally her day to shine, so she may be key to close out your pick three, pick four, and even pick six wagers.