How to Bet the Santa Anita stakes on Saturday

A trio of graded stakes races will highlight an excellent 10-race card at The Great Race Place on Saturday. Competitive fields with good betting opportunities are the theme for the features, and I will highlight my top choices in each event. RACE 8: Triple Bend Stakes (G2) A talented field of eight will vie in this seven-furlong dash on the main surface. American Anthem (#1) (5-2) drew the rail as the morning-line choice for conditioner Bob Baffert. The five-year-old son of Bodemeister was a sharp allowance second in a deep allowance run at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day and gets the slight nod in a well-matched field. The Kentucky-bred already owns a pair of graded victories at Santa Anita at this contest’s distance, and he will have the services of Mike Smith once again. Recent San Simeon Stakes (G3) winner Law Abidin Citizen (#3) (8-1) and Baffert’s Nero (#5) (5-1) will be my key exotics horses with the selection. RACE 7: Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2) Seven turf marathoners will go 1 1/4 miles on the Santa Anita turf in this contest, and Ya Gotta Wanna (#4) (8-1) is the upset choice. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the five-year-old gelding was a closing third in the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) at the distance in November and seems poised for marked improvement second time off the layoff. The bay son of Proud Citizen made a middle move before tiring in a one-mile allowance race last out, and I think it will serve as a nice prep in this spot for a trainer who excels second time back. Ashleyluvssugar (#7) (4-1) is winless since capturing this event in 2017 but merits respect as a logical exotics contender. The Peter Eurton pupil has a ton of back class and has run some huge races on this course in the past. Prime Attraction (#1) (3-1) is lone speed on the rail and rates an obvious chance. The Unbridled’s Song six-year-old has faced fine foes over the past two campaigns and wouldn’t be a big surprise here. Also winless since 2017, when taking the Native Diver Stakes (G3) at Del Mar, the dark bay gets Kent Desormeaux to ride. RACE 5: Daytona Stakes (G3) This five-furlong turf dash attracts seven and I will side with the returning Horse Greedy (#4) (8-1). The gelding makes his seasonal debut in this spot for John Sadler, and he is training in rapid fashion in preparation with a pair of bullet moves in succession. The speedy sort lands in a field without much pace and could be the one to catch for a fine layoff barn. Victor Espinoza will be at the controls. Eddie Haskell (#3) (9-5) and Brandothebartender (#5) (5-2) are most logical for the gimmicks. PHOTO: American Anthem and jockey Mike Smith (outside) overpower St. Joe Bay under Tyler Baze (inside) to win the San Carlos Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park on June 23, 2018 © BENOIT PHOTO