Santa Anita: War Academy a popular single in $125,160 pick six carryover

ARCADIA, Calif. – Pick six wins at Santa Anita are becoming as rare as starts by War Academy.

The third carryover in four days – $125,160 – is up for grabs Thursday at Santa Anita, where a former Kentucky Derby prospect makes his first start since he broke stride and was pulled up in the Arkansas Derby more than 11 months ago.

War Academy returns for Bob Baffert in race 6, and some pick six bettors will key him in the second-level allowance sprint. War Academy was among Baffert’s top 3-year-olds last year following a highly rated allowance (99 Beyer Speed Figure) that was his second win from three starts.

[Build your Santa Anita pick six ticket with DRF TicketMaker]

Shipped to Oaklawn Park for his Kentucky Derby prep in the Arkansas Derby, War Academy did not finish the race. He was pulled up, walked off the track on his own power, and posted two works soon after before Baffert pulled the plug.

“It was hind-end issues, it was muscular,” Baffert said. “He never had any surgery or anything. We just decided to turn him out.”

War Academy resumed training in November and has had 15 workouts leading to his Thursday comeback. “His last couple works have been really good works, strong works,” Baffert said. “He should run well.”

He will have to because the six-furlong race is not a walkover. Heir of Storm is a threat setting the pace; Spirit Rules has an alibi (broke slowly from the rail) for his recent loss; and Omega Star has improved this winter. He is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, as is Kate’s Event, a statebred stakes winner entered for the optional $62,500 claiming price.

The total pick six pool Thursday is expected to exceed $750,000. Below is a preview of the other races in the sequence, which covers races 3-8.

Race 3 is a $40,000 claiming race at one mile. A shortage of speed benefits front-runner Pulpit’s Express, compromised by slow starts in his two recent races. Though moving up from a California-bred allowance to face open company, he is a wire-to-wire threat with a clean break.

Other contenders in race 3 include dropper Big Kick, gelded since his most recent start, and Candy for Debbie, a Golden Gate shipper with a pressing style and a winning habit. He has won 12 races; his rivals Thursday have combined to win 11.

Race 4 is a $40,000 maiden-claiming sprint for California-bred fillies and mares in which Ryderroo figures to start favored. She was disqualified from victory last out after stewards ruled she interfered with the runner-up. If she runs similarly well, Ryderroo can win again. Many small-sized pick-six tickets will use her as a single.

Race 5 is a $75,000 maiden-claiming turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies. The turf rails are at 30 feet, a configuration that theoretically compromises late runners. Nonetheless, the tepid choice is route-to-sprint Lamazone. Her fourth-place debut on the hill two starts back might be good enough.

Other contenders in race 5 include front-runners Gisele At Fonz’s and Hugh Knew, comebacker An Unusual Group, and first-time starter Secret Appeal.

Race 7 is a first-level allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf. Rangi has two sharp in-the-money finishes recently under identical conditions, and as the speed of the field, he could be long gone. Five of the last eight turf sprints were won by the pacesetter.

The knock on Rangi is his 1-for-17 record. Several other legitimate contenders entered race 7, including the bred-for-turf Thunder Rode, sired by Lemon Drop Kid and produced by a Dynaformer mare. In two starts on Golden Gate’s synthetic surface, Thunder Rode has a maiden win and an allowance race runner-up.

Door’s Open moves to grass after sharp recent efforts on dirt; Monument will pick them up late. Meanwhile, the Dan Blacker-trained European import Don Marco makes his U.S. debut with an upset chance.

“He is live for sure,” Blacker said. “I think he’s going to be better going a mile, and I was going to wait for the mile race. The last couple works, he worked so well and is galloping so strong every day, I said, ‘Let’s put him in.’ ”

Don Marco won one of three starts in England before he was purchased last fall for approximately $25,000. He is by the Australian sire Choisir, whose progeny who were imported to California include Grade 1 winner Obviously and stakes winner Porto Marmay. Both won Santa Anita turf sprints.

Race 8 is a $30,000 maiden-claiming sprint for 3-year-old fillies. Contenders include second-time starters Alice Roadtrain and Divine Josephine, along with droppers Euroclydon and Consecrate.