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Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Santa Anita Park – Racing News and Analysis for March 13, 2026

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Santa Anita Park presents a nine race Friday card on March 13, 2026, featuring a blend of turf and dirt races, including lower level claimers, California bred maiden claimers, an allowance optional claimer for state bred fillies and mares, and a state bred maiden special weight turf finale. The turf rail is set at 30 feet, which affects trip dynamics in today's turf races at 1 1/8 miles, six and one half furlongs, and one mile.

Weather patterns and current forecasts point to a fast main track and firm to good firm turf, with no indication of off conditions. Scratch watch notes show several runners re entering after prior scratches or also eligible status, including Smooth Salute (2) in Race 1, Go Trigger Cut (5) in Race 2, Susie's Loaded (2) in Race 5, Ryan's Girl (4) in Race 7, Chief Resident (5) and Flash Of Lightning (7) in Race 9.

Weather and Track Conditions

Forecasts for the Santa Anita region on March 13, 2026, call for mild temperatures in the low to upper 60s Fahrenheit during racing hours, light breezes, and little to no rain, consistent with typical mid March conditions. Historical data from nearby Santa Ana and Arcadia for March show predominantly dry weather with only occasional showers, supporting expectations of a dry, fast main track and firm leaning turf.

The main track has generally played as a consistent, relatively fast surface this meet, slightly favoring tactical speed while still allowing off the pace runners to win when pace is strong. The turf course, particularly with the rail at 30 feet, tends to reward horses who can secure position and save ground, with timing and trip often more important than raw closing kick.

Track Bias and Post Position Notes

On the dirt, Santa Anita's one mile and sprint distances show a modest edge to forwardly placed horses and those breaking from inside to middle posts, especially when fields are large and the pace is moderate. Deep closers can still win but generally need an above average pace and clean trip.

On turf with the rail at 30 feet, route races at one mile and 1 1/8 miles tend to favor horses with inside to middle posts who can save ground on both turns and secure tactical positions. Wide, sweeping moves are more difficult because of the tighter configuration and shorter run in. In six and one half furlong turf sprints with the rail out, horses with tactical speed and good position entering the stretch are preferred, while extreme inside posts may face traffic risk if they do not break sharply and outside posts risk wide trips if they chase aggressively.

Overall, emphasis should be placed on tactical speed, ground saving trips, and efficient positioning, especially in turf races and large fields.

Race 1 Summary

Claiming, 1 1/8 miles turf, non winners of three lifetime, six older geldings.​

Pace projects as moderate, with Empires Classic (1), Smooth Salute (2), and Gem Mint Ten (5) able to be forward or pressing, and Promissio (6) also capable of early involvement. Geometry (4) and Sketchy (3) are more likely mid pack to late runners.​

Key contenders: Geometry (4) for Jonathan Thomas with Antonio Fresu, a late running turf router well placed in this non winners of three claiming spot; Gem Mint Ten (5) for Robertino Falcone Jr. with Abel Lezcano as a seasoned turf claimant with a good stalking draw; Empires Classic (1) for Mike Puype with Kazushi Kimura, likely to secure a ground saving rail trip near the pace.

Secondary choices: Smooth Salute (2) with Victor Espinoza dropping from tougher company; Promissio (6) for Doug ONeill with Emisael Jaramillo as a potential pace factor from outside.

Longshot: Sketchy (3) with Diego Herrera appears the least attractive on paper and may need a significant step forward to contend, more of a minor exotic possibility.​

Race 2 Summary

Maiden claiming 12500, one mile dirt, California bred or sired maidens ages three to five, seven runners.​

Pace appears soft to moderate, with Stage Run (2), Rachel's Gig (4), and Go Trigger Cut (5) likely on or near the lead. Irish Element (6) and Silversmith (7) should be stalking, while Brahms Mendelssohn (1) and Next Trick (3) may be more off the pace types.​

Key contenders: Silversmith (7) for Michael McCarthy with Ricardo Gonzalez, a three year old facing older with upside from an outside post; Irish Element (6) for Doug ONeill with Emisael Jaramillo, an attractive maiden claimer profile with tactical speed; Brahms Mendelssohn (1) with Kyle Frey and Brendan Galvin, who can work a ground saving inside trip.

Secondary choices: Stage Run (2) for Craig Lewis with Kazushi Kimura as an inside pace presence; Rachel's Gig (4) with Cristobal Herrera for Alberto Ruvalcaba as a mid pack grinder.

Longshots: Next Trick (3) for Ruben Gomez, an older maiden with limited upside; Go Trigger Cut (5) for Bill McLean with Welfin Orantes, showing prior vet scratch concerns and likely used as early speed rather than a strong win candidate.​

Race 3 Summary

Claiming 10000, one mile dirt, non winners of two lifetime, six runners.​

Pace looks honest with White Mountain (1), Spun Not Stirred (2), and Smiling Tizzy (5) all able to show early speed, Grandisimo (3) likely sitting just off that group, and Mischief Moments (4) and Fincairn (6) coming from further back.​

Key contenders: Grandisimo (3) for Isidro Tamayo with Vicente Del Cid, an ideal stalking type for this pace scenario; White Mountain (1) for Ryan Hanson with Adrian Escobedo as a rail speed horse who can control or sit inside; Smiling Tizzy (5) for Jose Valdez with Kyle Frey as an outside stalker in the right class spot.

Secondary choices: Spun Not Stirred (2) with Armando Ayuso for Genaro Vallejo, dropping and stretching out but with prior vet scratch concerns; Fincairn (6) with Alfredo Bautista for Gloria Haley as a late running type who benefits from a pace battle.​

Longshot: Mischief Moments (4) for Ruben Gomez with apprentice Ali Husain, likely lacking comparative figures and relying on a perfect scenario and weight break to factor.​

Race 4 Summary

Maiden claiming 50000, six furlongs turf, three year old fillies, nine runners, rail 30 feet.​

Pace should be lively with Pantages (1), Sugar Reign (3), Olivia (4), Hot Rod Christine (7), and Cosmo Friday (8) all showing sprint oriented profiles. Hard Hearted (6), Tulavias World (5), Our Agenda (9), and possibly Greys Over Bays (2) will likely track or close.​

Key contenders: Olivia (4) for Ryan Hanson with Kazushi Kimura as a tactically speedy filly from a favorable middle post; Hot Rod Christine (7) for Tim McCanna with Kyle Frey as a strong outside stalker; Cosmo Friday (8) for Doug ONeill with Emisael Jaramillo as an aggressive pace or pressing type from the outside.

Secondary choices: Pantages (1) with Adrian Escobedo for Ryan Hanson, needing a sharp break from the rail for a favorable trip; Hard Hearted (6) with Antonio Fresu for Ruben Gomez as a mid pack closer who can benefit from a hot pace.

Longshots: Greys Over Bays (2) for Sean McCarthy with Tyler Baze as an inside stalker lacking clear finishing punch; Sugar Reign (3), Tulavias World (5), and Our Agenda (9) as longer priced fillies likely to be pace influenced or needing substantial improvement to win, though usable as minor exotic pieces.​

Race 5 Summary

Maiden claiming 20000, one mile dirt, California bred three year old fillies, seven runners.​

Pace likely fair, with Gogotiz (1), Susie's Loaded (2), Shes Back (4), and Good Golly Dolly (5) expected near the front, while Willow In The Wind (3), Real Lucky In Love (6), and Julia Street (7) stalk or sit mid pack.​

Key contenders: Willow In The Wind (3) for Ruben Gomez with Antonio Fresu as a well drawn stalker; Good Golly Dolly (5) for Doug ONeill with Abel Lezcano as a strong outside pressing candidate; Julia Street (7) for Michael McCarthy with Ricardo Gonzalez, adding blinkers and offering outside tactical flexibility.

Secondary choices: Susie's Loaded (2) for Isidro Tamayo with Vicente Del Cid, re entered from a prior race and likely part of the pace; Shes Back (4) for Jamey Thomas with Kyle Frey as a tracking type suited to picking up minor shares.

Longshots: Gogotiz (1) for Isidro Tamayo with Armando Ayuso, needing to handle inside pressure; Real Lucky In Love (6) for Steve Sherman with Cristobal Herrera, a blinkered filly likely requiring improvement to challenge for the win.​

Race 6 Summary

Claiming 25000, six and one half furlongs turf, fillies and mares four and up, nine runners, rail 30 feet.​

Pace appears strong, with Headed For Om (1), Shangrilama (2), Invincible Molly (3), and Candy Bar (7) having speed, while Tam's Little Angel (4), Special Flower (5), Petite Treat (6), Shin Jidai (8), and Lamporghini (9) will stalk or close.​

Key contenders: Shin Jidai (8) for Leonard Powell with Emisael Jaramillo, a stalking closer suited to a hot pace; Headed For Om (1) for John Sadler with Juan Hernandez, a rail mare with tactical speed and top rider; Petite Treat (6) for Mike Puype with Abel Lezcano, an improving four year old with a good stalking draw.

Secondary choices: Shangrilama (2) for Mark Glatt with Kazushi Kimura, a rail adjacent stalker from a high percentage turf barn; Tam's Little Angel (4) for Hector Palma with Mirco Demuro, an experienced mare capable of a mid pack trip.

Longshots: Invincible Molly (3) with Armando Ayuso, Special Flower (5) with Edwin Maldonado, Candy Bar (7) with Tyler Baze, and Lamporghini (9) with Diego Herrera all have some chance for minor awards depending on pace and trip, but are less likely win candidates and more interesting as fillers in deeper exotics.​

Race 7 Summary

Allowance optional claiming 70000, one mile dirt, California bred or sired fillies and mares four and up, five runners.​

Pace should be moderate, with Lavender Love (1) and Buds N Suds (3) prominent early, Ryan's Girl (4) and Stay In Line (5) stalking, and Dorie Miller (2) sitting just off the leaders.​

Key contenders: Lavender Love (1) for Richard Baltas with Armando Ayuso as a rail mare likely to control or pocket trip; Dorie Miller (2) for Leonard Powell with Juan Hernandez as a stalking mare well spotted by a strong barn; Buds N Suds (3) for Steve Knapp with Tyler Baze as an outside pace or pressing factor.

Secondary choices: Ryan's Girl (4) for Genaro Vallejo with Kyle Frey, a re entered mare capable of a stalking trip; Stay In Line (5) for Andy Mathis with Emisael Jaramillo as a grinding type who may benefit if the top trio go too fast early.

Longshots: In such a small field, none are completely dismissed, but Stay In Line (5) and Ryan's Girl (4) project more as minor share types than primary win candidates on paper.​

Race 8 Summary

Claiming 10000, five and one half furlongs dirt, four year olds and up, ten runners.​

Pace should be hot and contested, with Man Child (1), Devil Moon (2), Hey Brother (3), Habeas (4), Windribbon (5), Winds Of Freedom (6), Binging (7), and Carol's Comic (8) all showing sprint speed, and The Big Cheeseola (9) and Broadway Unions (10) able to press or stalk.​

Key contenders: Winds Of Freedom (6) for Blaine Wright with Kyle Frey as a mid pack stalking type well suited to the projected pace; The Big Cheeseola (9) for Steve Knapp with Kazushi Kimura, an outside presser with class and tactical options; Broadway Unions (10) for Jose Valdez with Antonio Fresu, drawing outside and able to trip behind the interior speed.

Secondary choices: Man Child (1) for Jesus Uranga with Ricardo Ramirez, a rail speed horse dangerous if he clears; Habeas (4) for Brian Koriner with Cesar Belmont, a second flight stalker who can benefit from a meltdown.​

Longshots: Devil Moon (2) for Ruben Gomez, Hey Brother (3) for Librado Barocio, Windribbon (5) for Jose Hernandez Jr., Binging (7) for Antonio Garcia, and Carol's Comic (8) for Val Brinkerhoff all pose longshot profiles, with Windribbon (5) relying on back class, Binging (7) and Carol's Comic (8) as possible pace factors, and Devil Moon (2) and Hey Brother (3) as more marginal players.​

Race 9 Summary

Maiden special weight 70000, one mile turf, California bred or sired three year olds, eleven entries including one higher program number, rail 30 feet.​

Pace is expected to be fair to honest with Big Vengeance (2), John Metcalfe (4), Chief Resident (5), Passion D Oro (6), and Robin Olds (8) forward or pressing, while Dr. Filkins (1), Practical Blame (3), Flash Of Lightning (7), Doing Time (9), Positive Times (10), and Beeblebrox (98) track or close.​

Key contenders: Dr. Filkins (1) for Sean McCarthy with Kyle Frey as an inside stalker for a capable turf barn; Chief Resident (5) for Mark Glatt with Emisael Jaramillo as an ideally drawn tactical runner; Flash Of Lightning (7) for Richard Baltas with Kazushi Kimura, previously also eligible and well placed as an outside stalker.

Secondary choices: John Metcalfe (4) for Craig Lewis with Juan Hernandez, possibly more forward with blinkers; Robin Olds (8) for Phil DAamato with Armando Ayuso, from a top turf barn and capable of a mid pack finishing trip.

Longshots: Big Vengeance (2) with Diego Herrera, Practical Blame (3) for Brendan Galvin with Antonio Fresu, Passion D Oro (6) for Antonio Garcia with Victor Espinoza, Doing Time (9) for Felix Rondan with Tyler Baze, Positive Times (10) for Ryan Hanson with Kazushi Kimura, and Beeblebrox (98) as an additional entrant, all offer varying longshot profiles. Practical Blame (3) and Positive Times (10) have some appeal as improving turf types at prices, while others need either developmental leaps or significant race shape help.

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