How to bet the Cinema Stakes

A cast of six sophomores will jaunt one mile on the Santa Anita turf in Sunday’s $100,000 Cinema S. I expect the contest to come down to two horses late and will focus on the talented duo in my wagers. 

Cinema Wagers

• $25 exacta 6 with 1 ($25)
• $10 exacta 1 with 6 ($10)
• $2 trifecta key 1,6 with 1,2,6 with 1,2,6 ($8)

#6 Freedom’s Not Free (3-2) aced his grassy route debut last time with a measured victory in the Pasadena S. on the surface in March. Trained by Mark Glatt, the son of Omaha Beach has upped his game since moving to the green beginning in 2025 and comes into this endeavor off some very good morning drills of late. 

The Kentucky-bred colt has pace from an ideal outside post in the small field, and the $300,000 purchase will give pilot Antonio Fresu options throughout the race in hopes of eclipsing his second black-type race. He gets the slight nod to take the field down. 

Two-time Grade 3 winner #1 Artislas (2-1) is the one to beat from the rail for Jeff Mullins. A close third in a stakes race going down the hill in his seasonal debut, the son of Catalina Cruiser has performed well in all three prior runs at this venue and also has the best closing kick in the cast, as well. The bay colt is versatile and will likely move forward in his second off the pine following three solid morning spins leading up to Sunday. Regular rider Reylu Gutierrez will have him hugging the rail in the early stages of the contest. 

The Peter Miller-trained #2 Game Warrior (8-1) is the lone horse that I feel can crash the exacta party if one of the top two fails to fire his best shot. The dark bay son of Game Winner was a fairly consistent two-year-old and has improved from a pair of assignments this campaign. The colt was a fast-closing second in the Baffle S. going down the hill two back, prior to running a solid fourth in the Rushaway S. on the all-weather at Turfway Park most recently. The Kentucky-bred sophomore will be rallying in the lane beneath Umberto Rispoli.