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Santa Anita Park presents a competitive nine-race card on Monday, October 13, 2025, featuring the $80,000 Swingtime Stakes as the day’s highlight. The Indigenous People’s Day holiday card offers excellent wagering opportunities across diverse race conditions and distances.
Track Conditions and Weather
Current track conditions at Santa Anita Park show the main track fast and turf course firm, with sunny skies and temperatures reaching a high near 82°F. Light west winds of 0-5 mph are expected throughout the day, creating ideal racing conditions with no weather concerns. The forecast calls for clear conditions with low humidity at 48% and a southwest wind at 5 mph.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1: Allowance Optional Claiming (1:00 PM)
Distance: 6 1/2 Furlongs Downhill Turf
Purse: $63,000
Top Selection: Regal Patriot (#5)
Regal Patriot, trained by Steve R. Knapp, brings nine career victories and superior early speed to this downhill turf sprint. The 5-year-old gelding exits a sharp five-furlong score on September 7 and appears fastest from the gate in this competitive field.
Key Contenders:
- Bad Uncle Barry (#2): Mark Glatt trainee proven over the course with the field’s best last-out grass Beyer (94)
- Balladeer (#6): George Papaprodromou trainee shortening up from routes and dropping to claiming level
Pace Analysis: Early speed appears limited, making Regal Patriot’s gate speed advantageous on the downhill layout.
Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (1:30 PM)
Distance: 1 Mile Dirt
Purse: $60,000
Top Selection: Mr. A. P. (#5)
The American Pharoah colt has finished second in both career starts, posting a solid 88 Beyer in his most recent effort. Vladimir Cerin’s trainee appears ready to break through with natural progression.
Key Contenders:
- Cherokee Nation (#2): Bob Baffert’s $1.15 million Not This Time colt improving in second start
- Eruption (#7): Michael W. McCarthy trainee from productive debut field that produced Grade 1 winner Intrepido
Wagering Angle: Mr. A. P. offers value as the likely favorite Cherokee Nation draws attention to the Baffert barn.
Race 3: Claiming (2:00 PM)
Distance: 1 Mile Dirt
Purse: $19,000
Top Selection: La Scaloneta (#6)
Doug F. O’Neill’s filly takes a significant class drop from turf racing and should secure a favorable stalking trip behind limited early pace. Tyler Baze takes the mount on this tactical advantage play.
Secondary Choices:
- Unbridled Scholar (#1): Emerald Downs shipper with impressive 8-length gate-to-wire victory
- Sexzie (#2): Mark Glatt newcomer with three consecutive ITM finishes
Race 4: Maiden Claiming (2:30 PM)
Distance: 5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt
Purse: $33,000
Top Selection: Celtic Rythem (#4)
Carla Gaines trainee gets complete makeover in second career start with equipment changes and surface switch from turf to dirt. The addition of blinkers and first-time claiming tag suggests significant improvement expected.
Value Plays:
- Still Bulletproof (#6): Leonard Powell trainee moving to dirt with positive sire statistics (16% with dirt sprinters)
- Rostron (#5): Ryan Hanson trainee also switching surfaces with class relief
Race 5: Starter Optional Claiming (3:00 PM)
Distance: 6 Furlongs Turf
Purse: $34,000
Top Selection: Skatingthroughlife (#4)
Mark Glatt’s 4-year-old filly returning from extended layoff should improve significantly in second start off the bench. Previous turf course winner at Santa Anita brings proven course experience.
Longshot Special:
- Cyprus Moon (#7): George Papaprodromou filly adding blinkers with multiple ITM finishes
- Magale (#1): Richard Baltas trainee adding blinkers despite rail draw concerns
Race 6: Maiden Claiming (3:30 PM)
Distance: 6 Furlongs Dirt
Purse: $24,000
Top Selection: Darlin Sugaree (#10)
Jeff Mullins trainee switches from turf to dirt with significant class drop and favorable sire statistics. Maximus Mischief sire produces 18% winners with dirt sprint progeny.
Backup Choices:
- Not Happy (#1): Rafael DeLeon trainee with fastest Beyer figures despite poor barn statistics
- Bear’s Board (#4): Doug F. O’Neill filly with solid ITM record
Race 7: Swingtime Stakes (4:00 PM)
The $80,000 Swingtime Stakes represents Monday’s feature attraction at Santa Anita Park, bringing together a competitive field of 13 fillies and mares at one mile on the turf. This restricted stakes event for horses that have not won a sweepstakes of $60,000 at one mile or over creates an excellent betting opportunity with multiple live contenders.
Field Overview and Morning Line Odds
The field draws substantial strength with Vibez (#11) installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite, followed by Word Play (GB) (#3) at 7-2. Miss Roberts (GB) (#9) sits at 5-1, while Watchtower (#6) commands 6-1 odds. The competitive nature shows in the wide spread of odds, with longshots Venganza (#7), Mahina (#8), and Sun Of Hill (BRZ) (#10) all listed at 30-1.
Pace Analysis
The pace setup appears tactical with limited pure front-running speed identified in the field. Delightful Laura (#14) represents the only true front-runner but enters as an also-eligible who needs scratches to gain entry. Without significant early pressure, the race should develop moderately, favoring horses with tactical speed who can position forwardly.
Track statistics at the one-mile turf distance show front-runners winning 30% of races, while pressers capture 35%. Mid-pack runners win 25% of the time, with closers managing just 10% success. This profile strongly favors horses with early positioning ability.
Key Contenders Analysis
Top Selection: Vibez (#11) – 3-1 ML
Peter Eurton‘s 4-year-old filly represents the logical choice based on recent form progression and class advantage. She captured her last start by over three lengths at Del Mar on August 30, earning a powerful 144 final time rating. That victory came over several of today’s returning rivals, establishing clear form superiority.
Vibez demonstrates consistent improvement through her last three starts, posting final time ratings of 134, 138, and 144. The connection with trainer Peter Eurton (25% win rate) and new rider Juan Hernandez (replacing Flavien Prat) provides tactical advantages. Hernandez maintains excellent statistics with Eurton, and his rail-saving ability could prove crucial from the outside post.
Recent Form: Won last three starts with ascending final time ratings
Class Relief: Dropping from Grade 2 company to this restricted stakes level
Track Record: Previous winner at Santa Anita turf courses
Primary Threat: Word Play (GB) (#3) – 7-2 ML
Jeff Mullins conditions this improving 4-year-old filly who brings a three-race winning streak into stakes company. Her last victory earned a 137 final time rating at the 140 class level, representing significant class advancement. The Mullins-Umberto Rispoli combination shows strong statistics (18% wins from 67 starts).
Word Play’s tactical speed positions her perfectly for the expected moderate pace scenario. Rispoli leads the current Santa Anita standings and brings European tactical expertise that could prove decisive. Her inside post position (#3) provides multiple trip options.
Tactical Advantage: Mid-pack leader style suits pace setup
Hot Jockey: Rispoli currently leads autumn meet standings
Improving Form: Three consecutive victories with ascending class levels
Value Play: Miss Roberts (GB) (#9) – 5-1 ML
Jeff Mullins also trains this consistent performer who enters off back-to-back sharp efforts at Del Mar. She captured her penultimate start at five furlongs before finishing a strong third in sprint company last out. The return to route distance appears favorable given her mid-pack closing style.
Miss Roberts shows 58% in-the-money percentage over 26 career starts, indicating reliable consistency. Hector Isaac Berrios takes the mount for the strong Mullins barn (18% win rate). Her 4-1 to 5-1 morning line odds provide excellent value given the competitive nature.
Secondary Contenders
Watchtower (#6) – 6-1 ML: Richard Baltas trainee brings the highest comprehensive performance rating (148) but faces pace dependency as a late runner. She earned the best buyer number (94) and shows tactical versatility.
Nadette (FR) (#4) – 8-1 ML: This Neil Drysdale filly ties for the best fast figure (127) with Vibez but struggles with her deep closing style in the anticipated slow pace. Significant career earnings ($2.3 million) indicate class.
Baltic Fire (#1) – 15-1 ML: Simon Callaghan sends out this consistent performer who finished seventh in Grade 1 company last out. The class drop could provide value at generous odds.
Longshot Considerations
Delightful Laura (#14) – 10-1 ML: The only identified front-runner could steal the race if she gains entry as an also-eligible. Her lone speed makes her dangerous if the pace collapses.
Raw Ability (IRE) (#5) – 10-1 ML: John Sadler filly shows excellent win percentage (57%) despite limited career starts. Her mid-pack leading style suits the pace scenario.
Wagering Angles and Strategy
Win Bet Focus
Vibez (#11) represents the strongest win bet proposition with form advantage over several returning rivals. Her tactical speed and class edge justify favorite status despite the outside post draw.
Exacta Strategy
Key Vibez over Word Play, Miss Roberts, and Watchtower for the most logical finishing combinations. The competitive nature suggests using Vibez in multiple spots for exacta coverage.
Trifecta Opportunities
The race sets up perfectly for trifecta wagering with multiple live contenders at various price levels. Focus on Vibez, Word Play, Miss Roberts, Watchtower, and Nadette for the most probable combinations.
Longshot Inclusion
Consider Raw Ability and Baltic Fire as potential surprise runners in exotic wagers. Their generous odds provide excellent payout potential if the favorites falter.
Best Bet Recommendation
Vibez to Win at 3-1 offers the best risk-reward proposition in the Swingtime Stakes. Her form advantage, tactical speed, and class relief create the ideal betting scenario for Monday’s feature race.
Race 8: Maiden Claiming (4:30 PM)
Distance: 5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt
Purse: $33,000
Top Selection: Bazooka Charlie (#4)
Steven Miyadi trainee faces now-or-never situation after consecutive ITM finishes. Antonio Fresu maintains the mount for this logical claiming level fit.
First-Time Starter:
- Naudesnoodle (#8): Graydar colt debuts in vulnerable field despite modest workout pattern
Race 9: Maiden Special Weight (5:00 PM)
Distance: 6 Furlongs Turf
Purse: $60,000
Best Bet: Lady Chic (#3)
John W. Sadler’s filly returns from three-month freshening with field’s best 81 Beyer from previous turf effort. Sharp five-furlong workout in :59.3 on October 4 confirms readiness. Hector Isaac Berrios takes the mount for the red-hot Sadler barn.
Longshot Value:
- My Perfect Wave (#1): Tim Yakteen trainee returns from 14-month layoff with steady training pattern
- Helga Brandt (IRE) (#6): Carla Gaines trainee with Juan Hernandez aboard making third start of form cycle
Jockey Notes and Insights
Juan Hernandez leads Santa Anita’s jockey colony with over 2,400 career victories and strong tactical ability. The Mexican-born rider excels at judging pace and demonstrates exceptional finishing ability. His partnership with agent Craig O’Bryan has produced multiple Grade 1 victories at Santa Anita.
Umberto Rispoli currently leads the Autumn Meet standings with 11 victories through two weeks, holding a one-win advantage over Hernandez. The Italian rider brings European tactical expertise and strong turf course knowledge.
Tyler Baze returns to action with extensive Santa Anita experience and particular strength on the turf courses. His tactical speed and rail-saving ability make him dangerous in competitive fields.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Bob Baffert trains Cherokee Nation in Race 2, a $1.15 million purchase making his second career start. The Hall of Fame trainer’s juvenile runners typically improve significantly in subsequent starts.
Mark Glatt sends out multiple contenders including Bad Uncle Barry (Race 1) and Skatingthroughlife (Race 5). Both horses represent solid value plays in their respective races.
Doug F. O’Neill conditions La Scaloneta (Race 3) and Bear’s Board (Race 6), both receiving significant class relief. The veteran trainer excels with horses dropping in class.
John W. Sadler trains Best Bet selection Lady Chic in the finale, representing the meet’s hottest barn. Sadler’s turf runners typically peak in third starts of form cycles.
Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
Single Race Plays:
- Race 9: Lady Chic (#3) represents the day’s strongest win bet at projected odds
- Race 1: Regal Patriot (#5) offers solid value in competitive allowance field
- Race 7: Vibez (#11) provides stakes class advantage despite wide draw
Multi-Race Sequences:
- Late Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9): Focus on Vibez/Word Play in Race 7, Bazooka Charlie in Race 8, and Lady Chic/My Perfect Wave in Race 9
- Daily Double (Races 8-9): Bazooka Charlie with Lady Chic represents strong value proposition
Exotic Wagering Opportunities:
The Swingtime Stakes (Race 7) provides excellent trifecta opportunities with competitive field and pace scenario favoring multiple contenders. Race 4’s large maiden claiming field offers superfecta value with multiple live longshots.
Carryover Information:
Monitor Pick 6 carryovers from previous racing days, as Santa Anita regularly builds substantial pools during holiday cards.
