ARCADIA, Calif. - For the first time at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, there is a two-day carryover in the pick six on Sunday.
The bet was not hit on Friday or Saturday, giving Sunday’s $2 pick six a carryover of $218,963.
Sunday’s pick six covers the fifth through 10th races on a program that begins at 1 p.m. Pacific. The pool of new money may surpass $1 million.
The pick six races consist of three races on dirt and three on turf.
Turf Paradise canceled Saturday's card, it's biggest of the year, as heavy rain in the region the past couple days led to deteriorating track conditions.
Saturday was supposed to see the meet's marquee event, the Phoenix Gold Cup, along with the Cotton Fitzsimmons, Turf Paradise Derby, Arizona Oaks and Queen of the Green. According to the track's profile on X (formerly Twitter), the track will seek racing commission approval to bring back the entire card next Saturday, March 22.
Quarter Horse racing returns Sunday to the Red Mile in downtown Lexington, Ky., for six days of high-speed races spread over a 10-day period.
Racing Sunday through Tuesday, eight races per day are being offered as part of a meet awarded to Sandy Ridge Racing, a company owned by Revolutionary Racing that is building a Quarter Horse racetrack in Ashland, Ky., near the border with West Virginia. The company broke ground on the track in September, roughly one year after a casino opened on the property, and expects to host live races at the location in 2026.
After serving various stints in the racing industry, Damon Thayer was first elected to the Kentucky Senate in 2003. A small-government Republican, he eventually served as Senate Majority Leader for 12 years.
A record number of contestants are expected to vie for an unprecedented amount of prizes at this year’s National Horseplayers Championship, set to begin Friday for a three-day run at the Horseshoe Las Vegas to crown the 2025 Horseplayer of the Year.
According to estimates provided by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which runs the tournament, approximately 625 contestants are expected to compete. Total prizes are expected to exceed $5 million, with $825,000 earmarked for the winner on Sunday. This year’s NHC is the 26th to be held.
While trainer Rick Dutrow is happy to have two months between starts for his blossoming 3-year-old Captain Cook, the horse apparently seems ready to get back to action sooner than later.
Captain Cook on Tuesday worked a half-mile in 50.09 seconds over the Belmont Park training track, his fourth workout since he won the Withers Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths on Feb. 1.
Rain this week at Santa Anita is a minor glitch for Journalism, favorite for the Kentucky Derby after a 108 Beyer Speed Figure victory March 1 in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes. But weather and track closure could cause trainer Michael McCarthy to adjust Journalism’s work schedule. Journalism was tentatively scheduled to work this weekend. A day or two later would make little difference.
What’s behind the name Citizen Bull? The 2024 champion 2-year-old male ranks among the leading Kentucky Derby prospects for an ownership group that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, and Stonestreet Stables.
But how did the colt get his cool, catchy name? Creative thinking by SF racing manager Tom Ryan.
“I was looking at luxury watches, Citizen Bullhead watches,” Ryan said. “I didn’t like the name Citizen Bullhead” – for a horse – “and I didn’t like the name Bullhead” for a horse.
WHO’S HOT
The plan for Owen Almighty to target the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on May 3 at Churchill Downs still makes sense, but that plan may have changed after his slow-pace front-running win March 8 in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby. Despite trainer Brian Lynch’s reservations about Owen Almighty getting 1 1/4 miles, the colt’s owners are keen for the Kentucky Derby. Owen Almighty, whose 65 qualifying points ensures a Derby berth, is new to Derby Watch. Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona opens him at 40-1.
