Santa Anita bettors chase pick six carryover
ARCADIA, Calif. – Friday’s program at Santa Anita is an occasion when the pick six regains the focus of jackpot bettors.
In recent years, low-minimum wagers such as the pick five and pick four have overtaken the $2 pick six in popularity. But with a pick six carryover of $91,364 from Monday’s program, and four days to think about it, bettors will be chasing a lucrative pool Friday.
Friday’s pick six covers the third through eighth races on a program that begins at 1 p.m. Pacific. The pick six races have fields of 7, 8, 8, 7, 8, and 11 runners. Two turf races will have a safety limit of eight starters because the temporary rails are 30 feet from the permanent position.
Race 3: Majestic Minister, trained by Mike Puype, will be a popular selection. The 5-year-old Majestic Minister starts from the outside in a starter allowance at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.
Majestic Minister was fifth in a productive $40,000 claimer at a mile on turf Jan. 23. The first three finishers – Camryn Kate, Lotta Attitude, and Grandiose Tactics – won their next starts.
Race 4: In a field of maiden claimers, the first-time starters Fancy Brandi and Miserable Blue may attract attention because the other six runners have shown little promise. Miserable Blue is trained by Jim Cassidy, who has a strong record with first-time starters.
Of the fillies who have started, Just Bookin was third in a similar race here Feb. 1.
Race 5: The 7-year-olds Ezio, Somethings Unusual, and Tigah should dominate a $32,000 claimer at a mile on turf. Tigah won a $45,000 claimer here Jan. 16, his second win in four starts. Ezio and Somethings Unusual were third in their last races earlier at this meeting. Ezio was third in a $32,000 claimer Dec. 27 in which Tigah was second. Somethings Unusual was third behind Tigah on Jan. 16.
Race 6: Taste Like Candy, second in the Paseana Stakes behind Warren’s Veneda, will be favored to win for the third time in her career in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer at a mile. Taste Like Candy was beaten 5 1/2 lengths by Warren’s Veneda in the Paseana. Warren’s Veneda won the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes here last Saturday.
The field of seven includes the Brazilian stakes winner Gusto Dolce, a winner in France last year. This will be her American debut and her first start for trainer Richard Mandella.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Wild in the Saddle. Trainer Richard Baltas is 18-6-2-3 with a $4.38 ROI over the past five years going sprint to route on dirt. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Buy Formulator PPs
:: Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Magnificent Shirl. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 43-5-8-9 with a $0.71 ROI over the past five years going turf to dirt in routes at Santa Anita. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Race 7: The day’s final turf race is a division of the fifth race for $32,000 claimers at a mile.
Gab Power, second in an optional claimer for California-breds on Jan. 15, and Ice Cream Truck, fourth in the Super Bowl Party starter handicap Feb. 1, figure to dominate the betting in a field of eight.
Race 8: The largest field of the day, with 11 starters, is a $16,000 claimer for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs. The speedy Shared Image can win for the third consecutive time but must hold off Monstro Ness, who tumbles in class after a fourth-place finish in a $45,000 claimer last March.
