Santa Anita Picks: G2 Santa Ynez and Oaks Points January 8

Opening Day at Santa Anita seems a distant memory ... As we head into January, while the East Coast and Upper South are being hit by snow, it is warm in sunny SoCal. Today, the Grade 2 Santa Ynez takes center stage, as Kentucky Oaks Points are up for grabs! 10-4-2-1 can be applied for entry into the starting gate at Churchill Downs in May ... do not miss this one!

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 ...

Most Likely Winner: (Race 1: She’s So Shiny #5, 3/1):

Trainer Doug O’Neill has his share of turfers in his stable, but here is one that has most recently tried the dirt. I think this 3-yr-old filly can make the switch, and she might end up being a square price. Her sprinting pedigree, and for that matter, her grass bloodlines look adequate as far as I am concerned. The best news to hit the wire is that JJ Hernandez is coming back to ride her once again. His grass mowing power is almost without equal. This is a lateral class move for O’Neill’s entry, and if she can take to the lawn, like I think she will, it could end up crossing the wire in fine style.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #5

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 7: Square Fun #4, 12/1):

Speaking of O’Neill and the turf, I found another member of his stable that could be a bet! Mining for long shots can be an enterprising business, and when I see … the grass, coupled with the sire Square Eddie, that is a deal. Bred by the Reddam folks, this filly owned by Jim Cahill looks full of promise. She ran on the SA Turf Course last time, and though it wasn’t a fabulous result, she did get it out of the way. Her conditioner must have thought that running back in less than a week was an angle. I like that very much! Now, she can come back even stronger with bug boy Diego Herrera aboard once again. Running for a 3rd time in the form cycle sounds excellent, as does the addition of Lasix. Square Eddie … produces Square Fun #4 …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 7F, Santa Ynez S. (G2), $200k, 3F):

We do not have a KYD148 Points race this weekend, but we do have some Oaks action for your betting enjoyment. The Santa Ynez is a staple on the card in Arcadia, and this year’s edition has 6 going forward. The top 2 selections in here on the M/L include Bob Baffert’s Under the Stars #1 and John Sadler’s Big Switch #3. Of these 2, I much prefer Sadler’s entry. If the filly can come off this break that she has had since November, and fire like she knows how … she could be 3/3 in her career. That would make owner George Krikorian quite pleased. Replacing Irad Ortiz, who rode her last time on the BC undercard, is John Velazquez, which is not a poor swap at all. As for Baffert’s “star,” she gets Flavien Prat, who rode her 1st and last at Santa Anita and over at Los Al. In between those efforts, Abel Cedillo got the call when she was 3rd in the Desi Arnaz 100k. Pressing is a dangerous business, and Prat will need to watch it … giveth and taketh away. Another runner I want to use in this wager is from the barn of Jonathan Wong. Mimajoon #4 drove all the way home up at Golden Gate in late November … winning at some double-digit odds—16/1. Let’s face it … GG does not get the due that track deserves. Bred well by Fed Biz, her greatest strengths are breaking nicely, and getting loose on the engine. If that happens, and the favorites do not fire, she could be handing Wong the victory. Scott Herbertson’s homebred also gets Kyle Frey, a rider who can get hot at a moment’s notice. Let’s use this filly, and maybe she can upset the apple cart …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 1/3/4

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

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