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Santa Anita Park presents a competitive nine-race card highlighted by the $100,000 Baffle Stakes in the seventh race. First post is scheduled for 12:30 PM PST. The card features a strong mixture of claiming, maiden, and allowance events across both dirt and turf surfaces. The Pick 6 carryover of $51,027 begins in Race 4, while a Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 carryover exceeds $149,000.
WEATHER AND TRACK CONDITIONS
Southern California delivers ideal racing weather with temperatures in the mid-60s warming to approximately 70 degrees by mid-afternoon. Sunny skies prevail with light Santa Ana wind conditions dissipating by late morning. The main dirt track rates as fast with the turf course maintaining a firm designation. The turf rail is positioned at 10 feet. Track surfaces are in excellent condition throughout.
TRACK BIAS AND POST POSITION ANALYSIS
Dirt Track: The dirt demonstrates overwhelming favoritism toward early speed and pressing tactics, with 56-58% of sprint winners coming from horses racing on or within one length of the lead. Front-runners and pace-pressers dominate dirt sprint outcomes, while deep closers win only 9% of sprints. Six-furlong races show 31% wire-to-wire winners, indicating that pace-pressing types outperform pure front-runners. Dirt mile routes favor early speed (51-53% winners) while closers win just 13% of races.
Turf Course: The turf plays fairly to various running styles. One-mile turf routes disadvantage closers (19% winners), while turf routes at 1 1/8 miles favor closers significantly (34% winners). Flat turf sprints play fairly to most running styles except deep closers (22% winners). The downhill turf sprint configuration plays fair to all styles. Inside posts 1-3 on dirt create substantial advantages, while post 1 on turf performs exceptionally well at 17.8% winners.
RACE 1 – CLAIMING TURF MILE (12:30 PM)
Key Contenders: Cathal (IRE) emerges as logical favorite after dropping significantly in class. Papaprodromou’s stable wins with 62% of betting favorites. Pacific Quest holds tactical advantage as potential lone speed with effective class level. Smooth Salute returns to preferred turf after recent dirt misfire.
Secondary Choices: Got Soul stretches back to routing after comeback sprint, demonstrating prior success at this distance on turf. Earned Not Given completes field as outsider.
RACE 2 – MAIDEN CLAIMING DIRT MILE (1:02 PM)
Key Contenders: Babe Ruthless emerges as top selection after dropping to maiden claiming for trainer Dan Blacker. Well-bred Candy Ride gelding with fifth-place dirt debut producing 73 Beyer exceeds required winning figure. Irish Element represents secondary choice with O’Neill-Jaramillo combination operating at 37% strike rate.
Secondary Choices: Love Da Gig sets pace but limited finishing ability. Goodbye Dal and Palo Alto complete field with modest credentials.
RACE 3 – CLAIMING SPRINT THREE-YEAR-OLDS (1:33 PM)
Key Contenders: A. P. Again returns to low-level claiming after unsuccessful attempts against tougher competition. Won twice at this level at Los Alamitos. O’Neill barn shows 31% strike rate with 50% class drops. Very Quiet drops in class for trainer Peter Miller after maiden claiming victory, though late-running style faces track bias challenges.
Secondary Choices: Flashy Fritz drops from California-bred stakes undergoing multiple equipment changes. One Happy Dude ships with tactical speed to secure forward position.
RACE 4 – MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT CAL-BRED FILLIES (2:04 PM)
Pick 6 Begins – $51,027 Carryover
Key Contenders: Syntax represents Brad Free’s best bet of the day. Third-start timing aligns with Freeman barn pattern of peak performance. From post four, draws ideal position to establish early lead. All in the Game represents secondary choice, switching back to dirt with previous speed demonstrated.
Secondary Choices: Joyful Mischief represents most experienced runner with 14 career starts. Late-running style faces disadvantage. Turkey Bird, Dancing Thru Fire, Dad’s Bad Bunny complete field.
RACE 5 – MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT TURF MILE FILLIES (2:35 PM)
Key Contenders: Pura Vida Princesa represents top choice after seven starts with four in-the-money finishes. Most recent effort showed strong third by half-length. O’Neill barn ranks among meet leaders with 20% strike rate. Surf Song represents secondary choice with eight starts and five in-the-money finishes.
Secondary Choices: Robin With a Why tries two turns in first start after transferring to Jeff Mullins. Lubie’s Music switches from dirt sprints to turf routing, making multiple changes simultaneously. Saucier makes comeback after extended absence.
RACE 6 – MAIDEN CLAIMING CAL-BRED FILLIES SPRINT (3:05 PM)
Key Contenders: Tom’s Star receives top billing after runner-up finish at this level two starts back. In 13th career start with five second-place finishes demonstrates consistent ability without winning. Subtle Knowledge represents secondary choice with expected second-start improvement for Mullins barn.
Secondary Choices: Play for Me trained sharply with January 19 bullet workout. Trickifult’s speed and bias favor her despite distance concerns.
RACE 7 – BAFFLE STAKES (3:35 PM)
$100,000 Stakes – 6.5 Furlongs Downhill Turf
Key Contenders: Hey Nay Nay (IRE) emerges as top selection after cutback from mile following disappointing third in Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille. Won both turf sprints at two-year-old campaign. Off two months with sharp morning workouts. Jockey Hector Berrios returns after Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf victory aboard.
Secondary Choices: Later Than Planned (IRE) represents main threat as come-from-behind turf sprint stakes winner with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint sixth. Note: Original jockey Rispoli injured; rider change impacts execution. Greenwich Village switches to turf in third start for Bob Baffert, removing blinkers with strong turf pedigree through dam.
Longshots: Cal’s Goal represents Tim Yakteen entry. Won For Lou makes stakes debut for O’Neill after mixed recent form. Track Tiger and Bust Out complete field.
RACE 8 – ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING DIRT MILE (4:05 PM)
Key Contenders: Berlin Wall stretches to two turns for first time after disappointing sixth in turf sprint. Practical Joke colt for trainer Steve Knapp. Post two draws ideal stalking position. Team Player represents lightly raced alternative with three career starts producing in-the-money finishes, though late-running style faces track bias challenges.
Secondary Choices: Left Hand Man co-tops field’s best last-out dirt Beyer (83) after December 29 rally. Note: Originally scheduled for injured jockey Rispoli; rider change impacts execution. Stolen Treasure represents Mark Glatt trainee. Meet-leading trainer demonstrates 26-27% strike rate.
Longshots: The Gypsy Cowboy, Keithing Thunder, Crypto Ride, Majestic Palisades, Pass the Baton.
RACE 9 – MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT TURF ROUTE (4:35 PM)
1 1/8 Miles – Final Race
Key Contenders: Essos emerges as top selection making crucial third career start for meet-leading trainer Mark Glatt. Fourth in previous turf effort December 29. Sharp “best of 72” bullet workout January 18. Adds blinkers and Lasix. Note: Originally scheduled for injured jockey Rispoli; rider change impacts execution. House of Mischief finished second in same December 29 race where Essos ran fourth.
Secondary Choices: Army Man removes blinkers and adds Lasix after showing good speed in last two turf route attempts. Michael McCarthy equipment changes indicate confidence in improvement. Charlie’s Curlin improves gradually for Jeff Mullins, third-start typical improvement point.
Longshots: Out of the Woods makes debut for Philip D’Amato. First-time starters from elite barns deserve respect. Prime Artist (FR), Dinkum, Saharian, Mendel’s Tune complete field.
JOCKEY AND TRAINER NOTES
Leading Jockeys: Umberto Rispoli headed standings with 15 wins (21%) before suffering multiple fractures at Gulfstream on January 24, creating rider changes throughout today’s card. Kazushi Kimura ranks second with 13 wins (22%). Juan Hernandez third with 12 wins (20%), particularly strong in stakes races. Emisael Jaramillo fourth with 11 wins (19%), extraordinary 37% strike rate with Doug O’Neill creating automatic upgrade when teamed. Hector Berrios fifth with 9 wins (16%), effective on turf.
Leading Trainers: Doug O’Neill leads with 10 wins (20%) continuing dominance at Santa Anita. 37% strike rate with Jaramillo creates reliable pattern. Mark Glatt exhibits 26-27% meet-leading strike rate. Bob Baffert maintains position among leaders with six La Canada Stakes wins including yesterday’s victory with Nafisa. Michael McCarthy ranks among most consistent. Peter Miller demonstrates solid form. Richard Mandella and John Sadler bring Hall of Fame credentials in their respective race entries.
