Santa Anita Park Picks: All-Stakes Rolling Pick 3, including SA Derby on April 9

The biggest day of the year at Santa Anita is here ... the G2 Oaks ... the G3 Providencia ... the G1 Derby ... it forms a nice Rolling Pick 3 ... Turfwriter J.N. Campbell has you covered with an ice-cold $1.00 ticket that has the potential to bring some cash with the pools being pretty healthy. The rest of the card ... dozen races ... is also here! Derby Day from "The Great Race Place" ...

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! 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. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

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ALL-STAKES ROLLING PICK 3 …

LEG 1: (Race 4: Dirt, 1 1/16th, Santa Anita Oaks (G2), $400k, 3F)

It is time to get the Arcadia train moving, and it is time for the Oaks …aka The Tim Yakteen Special. The trainer is stepping into the limelight on this Saturday, and he will be spelling HOF conditioner Bob Baffert. You might have heard what happened to him … In customary Baffert fashion, the new man about town has an uncoupled entry in Under the Stars #3 (Magnier/Tabor/Smith), and also Adare Manor #5 (Michael L. Petersen). The former was 2nd in the Santa Ysabel (G3), while the latter won the Las Virgenes (G3) without a challenge (13-lengths). I think it is evident that if either of these “former Bafferts” showup, that it is going to be a shootout. I would say that Petersen’s early speed has the advantage with John Velazquez aboard. If this daughter of Uncle Mo can extend herself, then she is the one to beat. For those reasons … I think she is a “Single.” Yakteen just got the keys to a Lamborghini, and it is time to race!

Selections: 5 (Single)

LEG 2: (Race 5: Turf, 1 1/8th, Providencia S. (G3), $100k, 3F)

Switching to the SA Turf Course, we have in the middle of this P3 a set of routers that should be a tough race to pick a winner. First off, not one of these entries has ever run 9 furlongs. With nothing to go on when it comes to that stat, I wanted to see if I could uncover a pedigree that would make a ton of sense. Richard Baltas has a number of them entered here, but I particularly like the look of Sterling Crest #2. A filly by No Nay Never and out of Tamazug (GB), there is no question as to whether this one can go longer. She gets the services (as she has in all 6 career starts) of Umberto Rispoli. He handles deeper distance races quite well, and I am hoping that she can get a much cleaner trip. In the China Doll $100k, she was just an upset mess when the gates opened. Coming into this tough class test, she should be fitter … especially since she is making her 3rd start in the form cycle. Her late turn-of-foot is quite desirable! You could go as deep as you like in this race, because I have a clear “Single” in the finale. I do not often “call” a P3 cold, but that is what is happening today. Let’s go with this Baltas runner, and head to the SA Derby (G1) …

Selections: 2 (Single)

LEG 3: (Race 6: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Santa Anita Derby (G1), $750k, 3)

I know a couple of things coming into this last portion of the All-Stakes Rolling Pick 3 … First, Dick Mandella’s Forbidden Kingdom #3 will be well-bet because of the MyRacehorse cadre, and second, that Bob Baffert’s former runner, Messier #4 (now trained by Tim Yakteen), will win. I know that might be a fairly unpopular opinion, but it is what I know to be true. My take is … much respect for this son of American Pharoah. Mandella has a gem on his hands, for sure. But up against Yakteen’s new student, I do not think there is a comparison. The colt by Empire Maker is just coming into his own, and has the late gears to match his rival … and then some. If you go watch some of his works, the tab looks sharp. I trust that John Velazquez knows what to do when, and the real question is, when does he make his move? Right from the gate … sure … If Johnny V can win the break, I think he wins the race. Bob Baffert might have tarnished his legacy, but he still has the stock, and the knowledge that he trained a Derby contender. Maybe this one will be a Derby winner? I think he has a major chance … Let’s go with a “Single” and call this RP3 straight! Yep, I’ve said it …

Selections: 4 (Single)

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Ticket: 5 / 2 / 4

1.00 RP3 TICKET COST: $1.00 (Cold)

Enjoy another fab Saturday trackside at “The Great Race Place!” Best of luck on another run at Santa Anita Park!