Santa Anita: Opening day turf stakes spot plays

Smooth Like Strait winning the War Chant S. (Photo by Coady Photography)

Competitive renewals of the Malibu (G1) and the La Brea (G1) are the highlights on Saturday’s opening-day card at Santa Anita. But don’t overlook the enticing turf stakes also on the agenda.

The $300,000 American Oaks (G1), the $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile (G2), and the $75,000 Lady of Shamrock S. have drawn a combined 27 entries, providing plenty of horses for handicappers to consider. The end result could well be a series of lucrative payoffs.

Interested in taking home a piece of the action? Let’s play all three races on a $75 budget.

Race 4: Mathis Brothers Mile (G2, 1 mile on turf, 3:36 p.m. ET)

Four-time stakes winner #5 Smooth Like Strait (8-5) looms as a clear standout in the Mathis Brothers Mile. The speedy son of Midnight Lute exits a runner-up effort in the 1 1/8-mile Hollywood Derby (G1), where he split Saratoga Derby winner Domestic Spending and Belmont Derby (G1) winner Gufo in a three-horse photo finish.

Smooth Like Strait will face an easier field in the Mathis Brothers Mile. Cutting back to a flat mile won’t be an issue, and Smooth Like Strait is the only clear speed horse on paper. In short, he can win for fun while #1 Whisper Not (5-1), #6 Field Pass (5-2), and #7 Scarto (4-1) battle for the minor awards.

$5 trifecta: 5 with 1,6,7 with 1,6,7 ($30)

Race 9: American Oaks (G1, 1 1/4 miles, 6:17 p.m. ET)

2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) winner #9 Sharing (3-1) is the morning line favorite after finishing less than a length away from victory in the 1-mile Matriarch (G1) against older mares. But stretching out over 1 1/4 miles is a new obstacle for the daughter of Speightstown, and while her breeding suggests the extended distance won’t be an issue, I’m not necessarily keen to play Sharing on top at a short price.

In contrast, the distance shouldn’t be any issue for the improving #5 Luck Money (7-2), who faced tough competition throughout the summer and fall. Third by just 1 1/4 lengths against Grade 1 performers Micheline and Harvey’s Lil Goil in the 1 5/16-mile Dueling Grounds Oaks, Luck Money recently defeated older mares in the 1 1/2-mile Zagora S. at Belmont Park, counting next-out Long Island (G3) winner Mutamakina among her beaten rivals.

Luck Money is getting good at the right time and should relish every inch of the American Oaks distance. Let’s bet her to win and play her on top in the trifecta.

$13 to win on #5 Luck Money
$1 trifecta: 5 with 1,3,8,9 with 1,3,8,9 ($12)
Total: $25

Race 11: Lady of Shamrock S. (1 mile on turf, 7:25 p.m. ET)

The decorated five-time stakes winner #9 Warren’s Showtime (7-2) is the obvious choice to prevail in the Lady of Shamrock. The durable filly has placed at the Grade 1 level and won the Autumn Miss (G3) two starts back, so facing easier company over her preferred 1-mile trip should be perfect.

But don’t overlook the chances of #8 Counterparty Risk (4-1), who ships in from the East Coast for leading turf trainer Chad Brown. A beautifully-bred daughter of Epsom Derby (G1) winner Australia, Counterparty Risk unleashed a strong finish to break her maiden racing 1 1/16 miles at Aqueduct last month, gaining three lengths in the final furlong to win going away.

Brown has gone 5-for-13 (38%) with turf starters at Santa Anita since the beginning of 2018, so let’s bet Counterparty Risk to win and play her over Warren’s Showtime in a cold exacta.