BIG CAP HEADLINES HUGE DAY AT SANTA ANITA
BIG CAP HEADLINES HUGE DAY AT SANTA ANITA
$500K Guaranteed Late Pick 4
Grade 1 hero Twirling Candy, among the top handicap horses in training, leads a large field to post in Saturday's G1 $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap. Trained by John Sadler, the son of Candy Ride has won six of seven lifetime starts and comes off a fine showing in the G2 Strub Stakes over this oval. Joel Rosario will pilot the favorite.
Stable companion Gladding has made quite an impression since arriving from Florida and rates an upset chance with further improvement. The recent G2 San Antonio Handicap victor should be prominent from the opening bell. Grade 1-placed Setsuko is bred to run long and could be sitting on a big one in his third start off the lengthy break for Richard Mandella. Multiple graded winner Aggie Engineer, Grade 3 winner Game on Dude, dual classic placed First Dude and San Antonio runner-up Tweebster, are among the top draws in this historic event.
The G1 $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile is among the top turf races held annually out west, and this field looks strong for the one-mile grass test. Sunshine Millions Turf star Caracortado has really taken to the lawn and could be the one to beat for Michael Machowsky. The Cal-bred son of Cat Dreams is all class and continues to outrun his modest pedigree.
His foes are no slouches, though, led by Grade 1 winner Fluke, who rolled home a winner of the G3 Thunder Road Handicap most recently. Second by a nose in this last season, the son of Wild Event will always be in the hunt with a clean trip. Grade 3 hero Gallant Son was a closing second in a turf sprint to ready for this and could make some noise from off the pace. G2 San Gabriel Stakes winner Jeranimo could easily be the one in here with something like his starts two and three prior. He's gotten very good for Michael Pender. G1 Hollywood Derby runner-up Sebastian Flyte could cut back in trip and try this field for Ben Cecil.
The G1 $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks could feature a rematch of the top two finishers in the recent G1 Las Virgenes Stakes, Zazu and Turbulent Descent. The former is a rapidly improving John Sadler trainee who is cut out to run long and could appreciate the added ground on this occasion. The daughter of Tapit has put forth two solid dirt runs and might go off favored here.
Turbulent Descent was a clear second in her dirt debut in the Las Virgenes and would not surprise with a win against these ladies. Mike Puype conditions the daughter of Congrats. Plum Pretty was outrun by the top pair last out but has plenty of room for improvement and is bred to run long. G1 Hollywood Starlet second Big Tiz and G1 Frizette Stakes queen A Z Warrior also figure to factor in this affair.
Handicapping Santa Anita
- Bob Selvins Fair Odds & Analysis - Race Comments, Best Plays, and Fair Odds Analysis for Santa Anita. 20% Big Cap Day discount this Saturday.
- National Turf Clockers Reports - Andy Harrington's in-depth clocker report for daily racing in Southern California. Features workout commentary and ratings.
- Inside Picks and Powerplays - Expert Picks & Power Play angles for each race on the card - includes program numbers and morning line odds.
- Winner's Choice - Easy-to-use, one page per track handicapping sheet. Expert Picks, Best Bets, Hot trainers & jockeys, Clocker Specials, Track Bias stats