Santa Anita Park Picks: Express Train Returns in the Late Pick 4 on February 5

While the East Coast and Upper South are being hit by a cold blast, it is warm in sunny SoCal for some racing at Santa Anita Park! A big weekend is upon us, and we have a Late Pick 4 ticket ready for your enjoyment ... With 3 stakes on the docket, it is going to be a superb 9-race card!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action from what is known as "The Great Race Place." It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! 

If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Do not forget to follow us on Twitter ... @Horseracing_USA ...

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LATE PICK 4…

LEG 1: (Race 6: Dirt, 7F, Santa Monica (G2), $200k, F&M 4+)

The 1st Leg of this Late Pick 4 sequence at Santa Anita is a standard on the Spring card—the Santa Monica. Even though this is a 5-horse field of older females, it really comes down to 2 entries … Bob Baffert’s Kalypso #1 and Mike McCarthy’s Ce Ce #2. The M/L is interesting because it proves just how highly-regarded the latter truly is … 3/5. We have not seen the BC F&M Sprint (G1) Champion since she bested a field that included Edgeway and Gamine. It was a masterful performance … and will probably be enough to sway Eclipse voters to put her over the top in that competition. If she is ready off the bench, and I am sure McCarthy thinks that is the case, she could be on her way to a fabulous ’22. Don’t get me wrong, I was impressed with Baffert’s daughter of Brody’s Cause in the La Brea (G1) at Santa Anita, when she torched that field of females. That was off an extensive break, and she proved she could handle some tough company. Still, I don’t think she is quite in the same class McCarthy's mare is by Elusive Quality. She should fire, and for that reason, she is a “Single” right off the bat for me.

Selections: 2 (Single)

LEG 2: (Race 7: Hillside Turf, 6½F, OC80kn2x, 4+)

Taking to one of my favorite courses in the whole world—the Hillside Turf Course—we have a strong group of older males that will be contesting those curves over the grass. I have a few hard and fast rules that I adhere to, which are not anything anyone else has not already thought of … Probably my strongest is steering clear of the “inside posts” … I do not wager on those that are drawn 1, 2, or 3. They get shuffled easily, and it puts them behind the way they have to sweep down and to the right--tough angle, geometry and all that. In this tough OC80k event, I am particularly interested in backing John Sadler’s Crew Dragon #7. The Exaggerator colt is going to be a nice double-digit price, if he doesn’t get bet down. Hronis Racing owns this one, and he has the opportunity to improve greatly. Looking back at his class, it is undeniable that he can game with this crowd. The best news is that he trades in Joe Bravo for Umberto Rispoli. That is a gem of a move … sorry Jersey Joe … but I like Rispoli in situations like these. The other entry that we must include is Flavien Prat’s mount, Coulthard #5. Trained by Phil D’Amato, this 4-yr-old colt has not reached his full maturity yet, but he is headed in that direction. Running in Ireland as a freshman, he came into D’Amato’s care, and started competing in early ’21. He has yet to score on the Hill, so it will be interesting to see how he responds this time around. Working this pair … that should do it. Save our shots for later in the sequence …

Selections: 5/7 (-Deep)

LEG 3: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 1/8th, San Pasqual S. (G2), $200k, 4+)

The other “graded stakes” in this LP4, the San Pasqual S., is a nice distance test for older males. This was a solid draw. It might only have 6 that are strapping on a number, but that doesn’t mean there is not quality afoot. Trainer Bob Baffert comes with his typical uncoupled entry, and this time around, both look rather intriguing. Between Eight Rings #4 and Spielberg #5, I much prefer the runner named for a certain fab director in the ball cap, since this 4-yr-old by Union Rags was impressive in an OC80k back on 14 Jan. That doesn’t make me want to “Single” him, but I want to include this one on my ticket. As for a top selection, I am game to back John Shirreffs’ Express Train #2. I always feel like this is the horse that bettors like to take on. I know he has had his share of misses over the past year, but I like his back class. He comes back to Santa Anita after a wonderful performance in the Grade 2 San Antonio. Victor Espinoza took over the riding duties that afternoon in December, and I am expecting this 5-yr-old (that is also by Union Rags!) to be ready for action again on the stretch out. Going with this pair makes a ton of sense, and what I save here will really help once we get to this very difficult finale.  

Selections: 2/5 (2-Deep)

LEG 4: (Race 9: Turf, 6½, OC20kn1x, 4+, Cal breds)

Of course, when tracks are constructing their cards, they are thinking about the sequencing for their horizontal wagering. The Racing Office really came up with a doozy, as we have 12 (the #8 Scr) … count ‘em … 12 California breds that will be looking to hold onto the lead just before the wire. I know I have saved my pennies, and going as deep as 10 is the way I want to go. In a turf sprint like this one that is not on the Hillside Course, you can really look to the jockeys who will be making the greatest difference. Backing the likes of Flavien Prat, JJ Hernandez, and Umberto Rispoli is a must-include … they can ride. I am not one of these ‘cappers who just considers the pilot, a passenger, and it is never more prevalent than a race like this. For a top selection, I will give the nod to Crash Corrigan #4 from the Ruiz Barn. He hasn’t been on turf in quite some time, but I think with this rider, plus his latest runs at this class level … he could be very formidable. The only turf sprinters I am going to leave off are Charge Cash #5, and Dr. Troutman #13. I might regret it, but I am sticking to what feels right. Here we go …

Selections: 1/2/3/4/6/7/9/10/11/12 (10-Deep)

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Ticket: 2 / 5-7 / 2-5 / 1-2-3-4-6-7-9-10-11-12

.50 LP4 TICKET COST: $20.00

Enjoy another fab Saturday trackside at “The Great Race Place!” Best of luck on another run at Santa Anita Park! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!