Post time moved back to accommodate Oaks simulcast; $157,176 carryover in pick six
?q=100)
ARCADIA, Calif. – First post is later than normal Friday at Santa Anita; the card begins at 3:15 p.m. There is plenty of time for eight races, including a carryover of $157,176 in the pick six, and a Kentucky Oaks simulcast before the sun sets at 7:36 p.m.
Friday at Santa Anita, the main events are a pair of allowance races and a maiden race for 2-year-olds. Track officials are estimating a pick six pool of $1 million on races 3-8.
Race 2 is a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares in which 2-1 program favorite Scary Fast Ride seeks her third entry-level allowance victory in the last year. Fresh off a win at the level, Scary Fast Ride is entered for the optional $50,000 claiming tag, as she was in her last-out win. She has won four of her eight Santa Anita sprints.
The inside post won’t get Scary Fast Ride beat; she runs well inside and behind horses. However, comebacker A. Z. Wildcat will give the favorite a battle. A. Z. Wildcat has not started in a year, but she has worked exceptionally well for trainer John Sadler and is likely to fire first start back. No Cap, Crazy Cami, and Little Hidden Port complete the five-runner field.
Race 4 is at 4 1/2 furlongs for maiden 2-year-olds bred in California and includes three entrants whose trainers are always active in spring juvenile races – Steve Knapp, Jorge Periban, and Doug O’Neill.
Knapp entered Saluto, a Stay Thirsty colt whose sibling Max Ciao won a 2-year-old stakes for Knapp last year. Saluto is listed at 9-2. Knapp also entered King Kameha, who was crushed by Saluto in a team work last week.
Periban entered Jonny’s Cap, an Acclamation gelding whose 47.60-second gate work last Friday is one reason he is the 6-5 program favorite.
O’Neill entered Keepmesane, a Grazen colt whose dam won her career debut as a 2-year-old. Keepmesane is the 7-2 second choice in the program. O’Neill has won with five of his last 14 first-start juveniles at 4 1/2 furlongs.
Race 6 is the Friday feature, to be run soon after the Kentucky Oaks simulcast. A full field entered the 1 1/8-mile turf race, a nonwinners of two other than/optional $80,000 claimer. The race includes the best bet on the Santa Anita card.
Namaron began his U.S. campaign for Sadler with three successive third-place finishes in stakes. Following a last-place finish in a Grade 3 in February, Sadler dropped Namaron into a second-level allowance mile, added Lasix, and switched riders to Emisael Jaramillo.
The changes led to the best performance by Namaron since he arrived from Germany. The gelding lagged near the back, smoked his final quarter-mile in 22.78, and missed by a neck in a race dominated by speed. Namaron stretches out Friday, retains Jaramillo, and should run them down at a square price. He is listed at 4-1.
The main rivals for Namaron are class dropper Watsonville and 9-5 program favorite Centrodelantero, third last out while finishing a head in front of Namaron.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.