Santa Anita Picks: Baffert has San Vincente S. covered January 29

Opening Day at Santa Anita seems like a distant memory ... As we head into the depths of January, while the East Coast and Upper South are being hit by a cold blast, it is warm in sunny SoCal for some racing on this Saturday! Highlights this Saturday include the San Vincente S., the Megahertz S., and the Palos Verdes S. ... what a day!

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! 

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Most Likely Winner: (Race 4: Pinehurst #2, 5/2):

A well-rested son of Twirling Candy is probably itching to get back to the track, and compete again. When last we saw this colt, it was in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) when he finished 5th behind his stablemate, Corniche. Honestly, after the Del Mar Futurity (G1), I thought he might at the very least hit-the-board. After all, same track, and with John Velazquez in the irons … well, it did not happen. Now, with a strong work tab behind him, the SoCal HOF trainer has him ready to go. It has been a heck of week for Bob Baffert, what with everything going on in New York with the hearings. With 3 Bafferts in a 5-horse field, one is bound to win … this one is it.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 7: Canoodling #8, 8/1):

Here is an interesting filly that is making the move over to the turf for Mike Puype in a challenging spot. But this isn’t a “Puype horse,” per se … this is a Todd Fincher horse. B4 Farms invests in some quality stock, but they rely on Fincher, a New Mexico-based conditioner, to break them. He is the one that got this daughter of Pioneerof the Nile ready to race. The owners then transferred the 4-yr-old to Puype before the La Brea (G1) back when the Meet opened at Santa Anita. I was hoping for a “big run” in that contest, but it was not to be. The surface switch makes a ton of sense, especially with this sire in her bloodline. Regular rider, Roimes Chirinos makes the trip over from Sunland, and this is the opportunity these connections have been waiting for. What a price she is going to be, and breaking from that outside post could be a positive, to say the least. I am hoping for double-digit odds-on Saturday …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #8 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 6F, Palos Verdes S. (G3), $200k, 4+):

One of the more intriguing races on the Saturday card at Santa Anita is this race, the Palos Verdes. Of course, we have a pair of Bob Baffert’s runners that have drawn-in. Between Essential Wager #2 and Cezanne #3, the latter looks to be the “favorite,” since he won impressively in the Kona Gold (G3). But that was way back in April of last year, and one has to wonder if the 5-yr-old by Curlin is ready to roll with the only jock that has ever ridden him, Flavien Prat … Based on his workouts, he could be, but I am thinking that the junior Baffert, is more interesting. Looking at that last race of his at Los Al, he posted a stupendous speed fig! The colt by Honor Code looks to be a budding star, and I would think that if he can keep that kind of threat going, he is going to be tough to catch. Abel Cedillo is riding well at the Meet, and he takes over for Prat. With only 4 others entered in this speed duel going 6F, I think it is worth a try to include both Peter Eurton’s Dark Vader #1, and Vlad Cerin’s Arham #6. I am not sure if either of these have the force in their corner to summon a win in a spot like this one. They certainly have run on nicely in OC Co., and Eurton’s has some attempts in G3s, a G1 and G2 that cannot be overlooked. Let’s use them on top in an Exacta wager, and see if we can beat Baffert. It is worth a try!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel, 1/6 w 2/3

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Enjoy some racing from “The Great Race Place” Best of luck on another run at Santa Anita!