Six stakes races highlight Santa Anita’s Opening Day card. First post is at 2:00 p.m. ET. Let’s start our week with a bang!
Race 1 • Mathis Mile Stakes (G2) No real secret here after looking at the form that the top players are 1 Balnikhov, 3 I’m A Gambler, and 7 Sumter. Sumter is 2-for-2 at today’s surface and distance and projects to be on an easy lead. Top choice.
Picks: 7-3-1-6
Race 3 • San Gabriel Stakes (G2) Morning line favorite 2 Masteroffoxhounds is deserving. I’d look at those on the cutback if you’re trying to beat him. 3 Dicey Mo Chara, 4 Go On, and 6 Prince Abama fit the bill, having all raced last time out at 12 furlongs. Of those three, I favor Prince Abama, who is also the lightest raced of this group.
Picks: 6-2-3-4
Race 6 • San Antonio Stakes (G2) Frankie Dettori takes the mount on 6 Country Grammer, who will be a short price come post time in a field with three Bob Baffert entries. 1 Hopkins projects to be the one to catch, and jockey Juan Hernandez is up in the irons today, having previously rode the 2, 3, and 6.
Picks: 6-1-2-4
Race 8 • La Brea Stakes (G1) Baffert with another four entered in this spot. 6 Fun to Dream is 4-for-5 lifetime, including 2-for-2 at today’s surface and distance. I doubt we will get the 5-1 morning line as they line up in the gate.
Picks: 6-4-7-3
Race 10 • RUNHAPPY Malibu Stakes (G1) [PPs] Is 6 Taiba a cinch in this spot? He deserves top billing, but there are a couple here that aren't too far behind and should merit our consideration. 2 Messier projects to forwardly placed and could get first run at the leaders. He’s no slouch and goes second off a layoff here. We can toss the last and there’s form to like in the recent works. 4 Nakatomi has won half of his eight career starts, and jockey Tyler Gaffalione has been hot of late. 3 Apprehend is on the cutback and could be a factor if he fires down the stretch. The late kick has been there in the past.
Picks: 6-2-3-4
Race 11 • American Oaks (G1) The gray Chad Brown trainee 9 Salimah comes in 3-for-4 lifetime. Shipping West should not be an issue as his record shows. A horse to watch underneath is 3 Lady Clementine out of the George Papaprodromou barn. Frankie Dettori gets the call for today’s mount, and the stretch out in distance shouldn’t be an issue.
Picks: 9-2-3-6
Best of luck if you play today’s races!