Santa Anita late pick five play for Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024

RACE 6: After romping in her debut on the dirt, VENGANZA went to the sidelines following a troubled fifth in last year’s Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks. The daughter of 12 percent turf sire Curlin is out of a Grade 1-winning grass expert and is sent out by hot trainer Richard Mandella, who has solid numbers with long-term comebackers. RUGELACH won three of her last four, prevailing most recently when turning back from a mile to six furlongs. She should be the dominant speed. IRRESISTIBLE FORCE is bred to be a late-bloomer and could run big off the layoff in her 4-year-old bow. (3)

RACE 7: TOKAMAK is being reunited with Umberto Rispoli, with whom he won his maiden for $20,000 claiming two back before the gelding finished a flat fifth at this $16,000 nonwinners-of-two level. He can track all the speed before going in for the kill. (1)

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RACE 8: You can make a case for most of the eight entrants in this Grade 3 fixture. There’s enough speed in the lineup to set the table for the Phil D’Amato-trained runners Balnikhov and Prince Abama if one wants to pare the ticket down to a few, but spreading out is recommended. (8)

RACE 9: THREE WITCHES and KIRSTENBOSCH finished third and fifth, respectively, in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and are the obvious protagonists. Three Witches recently changed trainers from high-percentage Saffie Joseph Jr. to Mike McCarthy, who has low numbers with new acquisitions. The seven-furlong expert has a history of firing when fresh. Kirstenbosch has been working fast, and it will be interesting to see how the closer is graded on the Daily Racing Form Clocker Report. (2)

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RACE 10: CATALINA EDDY faded after tracking the pace last time out in a restricted stakes over 1 1/8 miles, a distance too far for him. Turning back to a mile for this third start of his form cycle could be the winning move. SYDNEY STREET earned big Beyers while competitive in two of his last three outings dating back to fall 2022. CITY EXILE graduated by disqualification after a troubled run in his local debut following several good performances in Ireland. (3)

THE PLAY: 2, 3, 5 / 4 / ALL / 2, 3 / 3, 6, 9 = $72 ticket

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