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Perfect racing conditions await at Santa Anita Park with sunny skies and temperatures reaching 81°F. The track surfaces are in optimal condition with the main dirt track listed as Fast and the turf course rated Firm. Calm winds and clear skies will provide ideal circumstances for the nine-race card beginning at 1:00 PM PT.
Weather and Track Conditions
Sunny conditions with a high of 81°F and low of 58°F create perfect racing weather. The calm wind conditions at 0 mph with 72% humidity should result in consistent track conditions throughout the afternoon. Both the dirt track and turf course are in excellent shape, with the turf rail positioned at 30 feet for races utilizing the grass surface.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1: Starter Allowance – 6 Furlongs Turf (1:00 PM)
This six-furlong turf starter for fillies and mares carries a $36,000 purse and features horses that have started for claiming prices of $50,000 or less.
Key Contenders:
- Oveta’s Hobby (Post 2): The consensus choice trained by John W. Sadler and ridden by leading jockey Juan J. Hernandez, who leads the current meet with 19 wins from 59 starts at a 32% clip. Sadler ranks among the top trainers at the meet.
Secondary Choices:
- How Lovely (IRE) (Post 3): Trained by Doug F. O’Neill with Antonio Fresu aboard. O’Neill has been productive with six wins from 41 starts.
Longshot Consideration:
- Prime and Ready (Post 5): Richard Baltas trainee with Hector Isaac Berrios, who has 10 wins from 48 starts.
Pace Analysis: Expect moderate early fractions with How Lovely and Lady Aberdeen potentially setting the pace. The rail position at 30 feet should favor horses with early speed.
Selection: Oveta’s Hobby wins, How Lovely place, Prime and Ready show.
Race 2: Claiming – 6 Furlongs Dirt (1:30 PM)
A $26,000 claiming race for three-year-olds and upward on the main track at six furlongs.
Key Contenders:
- Recall and Reload (Post 2): Tim Yakteen trainee with Antonio Fresu, who has four wins from 32 starts at the meet. The experienced six-year-old should appreciate the claiming level drop.
Secondary Choices:
- Jaguar Jon (Post 3): Steven Miyadi sends out this three-year-old gelding with Tyler Baze, who has four wins from 37 starts.
Pace Analysis: This sprint should see contested early fractions with multiple speed horses likely pressing the pace.
Selection: Recall and Reload wins.
Race 3: Allowance Optional Claiming – 6 Furlongs Dirt (2:00 PM)
The third race at Santa Anita Park features a competitive five-horse field in an Allowance Optional Claiming event for fillies and mares three years old and upward. The $61,000 purse contest covers six furlongs on the main dirt track with a 2:00 PM PT post time. This race conditions are for horses that have never won $21,000 once other than maiden, claiming, starter, or state bred, or those that have never won two races.
Detailed Horse Analysis
#1 Thermal (4F, 122 lbs) – Hector Isaac Berrios/hn W. Sadler
Thermal represents significant class relief dropping from stake company in Canada to this allowance optional claiming level. The four-year-old daughter of Nyquist has done most of her running on turf surfaces but showed her versatility with a sharp four-furlong workout in 47.2 on October 10 over the Santa Anita main track. Sadler ranks among the meet’s leading trainers with a 27% win rate from 22 starts. From the rail position, Berrios should send this speedy filly to the early lead, and the class drop could prove decisive. Career earnings of $334,490 indicate quality, though her dirt form needs validation.
#2 Emirates Affair (7M, 124 lbs) – Kazushi Kimura/Robert B. Hs Jr.
The seven-year-old mare brings veteran experience and solid career earnings of $341,800 to this contest. Her recent form shows placings at Del Mar in claiming company, including a second-place finish in a 6.5-furlong dirt race and a win at Gulfstream Park earlier in the year. However, at 10-1 morning line odds, the market suggests limited confidence in her chances against this group. Her running style as a “slowest stalker” may leave her with too much ground to make up in this competitive field.
#3 Young Love (3F, 122 lbs) – Juan J. Hernandez/Peter MillerYoung Love emerges as the consensus choice and represents excellent value at 2-1 morning line odds. The three-year-old filly has made an outstanding start to her career and could be seeking her fourth win in five starts. Most significantly, Juan J. Hernandez maintains a perfect 3-for-3 record when riding this daughter of Om. Her recent fourth-place finish at Del Mar on September 5 came in similar allowance optional claiming company, suggesting she belongs at this level. Miller’s training and Hernandez’s tactical brilliance with this filly create a formidable combination. Her career record of 4 wins from 7 starts with $217,800 in earnings demonstrates consistent quality.
#4 Scary Fast Ride (6M, 124 lbs) – Tyleraze/Sean McCarthy
The six-year-old mare brings solid credentials with career earnings of $454,680 from 21 starts. Her recent form includes a fifth-place finish at Del Mar and wins at Santa Anita earlier in the year, showing she can handle this level of competition. Running style as “fast deep” suggests she’ll be positioned well early and could benefit from pace scenario development. However, McCarthy’s modest 11% win rate from 18 starts raises questions about the conditioning.
#5 Artisma (3F, 120 lbs) – Abel Leano/Richard Baltas
Artisma represents excellent value receiving a two-pound weight allowance at 120 pounds. The three-year-old filly finished a solid second at this exact level in her most recent Del Mar effort on September 5, losing to Shared Future, who returned to win next out with an 83 Beyer speed figure. This form line provides strong validation for today’s spot. Baltas maintains a 25% win rate from 24 starts with strong 58% in-the-money percentages. Career record shows 1 win from 6 starts with 5 in-the-money finishes, indicating consistent competitiveness. Her “mid pack closer” running style should benefit from the expected pace scenario.
Pace Analysis
With Thermal likely to show early speed from the rail and potential pressure from Young Love’s tactical speed, the pace setup appears moderate to honest. This scenario should favor the closers like Artisma and potentially set up a stretch run between the top contenders. The six-furlong distance on a fast track should produce honest fractions without being overly demanding.
Key Angles and Betting Strategy
Win Bet: Young Love at 2-1 offers solid value given Hernandez’s perfect record with this filly and her consistent form pattern.
Value Play: Artisma at 8/5 provides excellent value considering her recent strong effort and two-pound weight advantage.
Exacta Strategy: Key Young Love over Artisma and Thermal, with reverse coverage given the competitive nature of this field.
Longshot Consideration: Thermal offers potential upset value if the class relief and surface switch prove beneficial under Sadler’s expert conditioning.
Final Analysis
This competitive allowance optional claiming race features legitimate chances for multiple contenders. Young Love’s combination of form, jockey proficiency, and trainer skill makes her the logical choice, while Artisma’s recent strong effort and weight concession create an attractive alternative. The small field size should produce an honest pace that sets up well for the stretch runners.
Recommended Selections: Young Love (win), Artisma (place), Thermal (show).
Race 4: Claiming – 6½ Furlongs Turf (2:31 PM)
A $26,000 claiming event on the turf course with the rail at 30 feet attracts a field of nine.
Key Contenders:
- Dakota Country (Post 2): Doug F. O’Neill trainee with Antonio Fresu offers value in this competitive field.
Secondary Choices:
- Dancing Rinca (Post 3): Neil D. Drysdale sends out this six-year-old gelding with Umberto Rispoli, who has 13 wins from 57 starts.
Pace Analysis: The larger field should produce honest early fractions on the firm turf surface.
Selection: Dakota Country wins.
Race 5: Allowance Optional Claiming – 1 Mile Dirt (3:03 PM)
The fifth race at Santa Anita Park presents a competitive California-bred or California-sired allowance optional claiming event covering one mile on the main dirt track. The $61,000 purse attracts a field of six fillies and mares three years old and upward that have never won $21,000 once other than maiden, claiming, or starter, or have never won two races. With a 3:03 PM PT post time, this represents an excellent betting opportunity with several legitimate contenders.
Detailed Horse Analysis
#1 Nothing Is Forever (4F, 125 lbs) – Kazushi Kimura/Steve R. Knp
Nothing Is Forever emerges as the morning line favorite at 7-2 odds and represents solid value in this competitive field. The four-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute brings considerable experience with a career record showing consistent competitiveness. Steve R. Knapp, one of Southern California’s most respected trainers, maintains strong statistics with California-bred horses and has shown excellent form throughout the current meet. Kazushi Kimura has seven wins from 63 starts at the current meet, providing steady riding from the rail position. The one-mile distance should suit this filly’s running style, and the class level appears ideal for her current form cycle.
#2 Runamileinmyshoes (4F, 125 lbs) – Antonioresu/Steve R. Knapp
Runamileinmyshoes represents the consensus second choice at 6-5 morning line odds and offers the strongest credentials in this field. Also trained by Steve R. Knapp, this four-year-old has demonstrated remarkable consistency with a strong in-the-money percentage. Antonio Fresu brings four wins from 32 starts at the current meet and excels with route horses. The trainer’s decision to enter two horses in this race suggests confidence in both runners, with Runamileinmyshoes likely receiving the stronger ride based on the odds differential. Her career statistics show 58.62% in-the-money performance with solid route experience.
#3 Dorie Miller (4F, 123 lbs) – Diego. Herrera/Leonard Powell
Dorie Miller presents excellent value at 3-1 morning line odds with solid recent form and a favorable weight concession. The four-year-old filly has shown consistent improvement throughout 2025 with multiple runner-up finishes at Santa Anita. Her recent second-place finish on June 14 came in similar company, losing to Happy Sue by a narrow margin. Leonard Powell has developed this California-bred steadily, and she earned her maiden victory in September 2024 at Santa Anita. Diego Herrera has maintained solid statistics with this filly and understands her tactical speed. The two-pound weight advantage at 123 pounds could prove decisive in a competitive field.
#4 Jessebear (6M, 125 lbs) – Tiago Josue Peira/Aggie Ordonez
Jessebear offers intriguing longshot value at 8-1 morning line odds for trainer Aggie Ordonez. The six-year-old mare brings considerable experience and has shown her best form with Ordonez’s patient conditioning program. Ordonez maintains a 17.3% win rate from 277 starts with a strong 46.6% in-the-money percentage. Her recent Grade 3 stakes success with Om N Joy demonstrates the trainer’s ability to get horses ready for their best efforts. Tiago Josue Pereira has partnered with Ordonez successfully and brings three wins from 19 starts for the stable. The mare’s experience advantage and potential class relief make her a dangerous upset candidate.
#5 Severe Clear (3F, 120 lbs) – Ricardo Gonzalez/Peteriller
Severe Clear presents significant value at 12-1 morning line odds while receiving a five-pound weight advantage. The three-year-old filly benefits from Peter Miller’s expert training and has shown steady improvement in recent months. Miller ranks among Southern California’s leading trainers with excellent statistics in allowance company. Ricardo Gonzalez brings solid experience and has shown improvement throughout the current meet. The weight concession to 120 pounds provides a significant advantage over the older horses, and Miller’s ability to spot horses effectively makes this a dangerous longshot.
#6 Broadway Venus (3F, 120 lbs) – Abel Lezcano/Ryananson
Broadway Venus completes the field at 6-1 morning line odds with strong credentials from trainer Ryan Hanson. The three-year-old filly also benefits from the five-pound weight allowance at 120 pounds. Abel Lezcano brings considerable experience and has shown strong form with developing fillies. Hanson’s training style emphasizes patient development, and this filly appears ready for a breakthrough performance. Her limited experience may work as an advantage if she has been developing steadily for this spot.
Pace Analysis
The one-mile distance should produce moderate early fractions with Nothing Is Forever and potentially Runamileinmyshoes establishing position early. Dorie Miller’s tactical speed could place her in ideal stalking position, while the closers like Jessebear and Severe Clear should benefit from the expected honest pace scenario. The California-bred nature of this field suggests familiarity with Santa Anita’s main track characteristics.
Key Angles and Betting Strategy
Win Bet: Runamileinmyshoes at 6-5 offers solid value combining Knapp’s training expertise with Fresu’s route riding ability.
Value Play: Dorie Miller at 3-1 provides excellent value considering her consistent form and weight advantage.
Longshot Special: Severe Clear at 12-1 offers tremendous value with Miller’s training and the significant weight concession.
Exacta Strategy: Key Runamileinmyshoes over Dorie Miller and Nothing Is Forever, with reverse coverage on the top three choices.
Trifecta Box: 1-2-3 (Nothing Is Forever, Runamileinmyshoes, Dorie Miller) provides solid coverage of the most likely winners.
Final Analysis
This California-bred allowance optional claiming race presents excellent betting opportunities with legitimate chances distributed throughout the field. Steve R. Knapp’s entry of two horses suggests strong stable confidence, while the presence of quality trainers like Peter Miller and Leonard Powell elevates the competitive level. The one-mile distance and fast track conditions should produce an honest pace that sets up well for both early speed and closers.
Recommended Selections: Runamileinmyshoes (win), Dorie Miller (place), Nothing Is Forever (show).
Best Value: Severe Clear represents outstanding longshot value at 12-1 with Peter Miller’s training and significant weight concession creating upset potential.
Race 6: Maiden Claiming – 6 Furlongs Turf (3:33 PM)
A maiden claiming race for fillies and mares on the turf course.
Key Contenders:
- Paarl (Post 6): John W. Sadler trainee with Tyler Baze offers potential at longer odds in this competitive maiden field.
Secondary Choices:
- Frog (Post 2): Michael W. McCarthy runner with Juan J. Hernandez brings the leading jockey into the mix.
Selection: Paarl wins.
Race 7: Maiden Claiming – 6 Furlongs Dirt (4:03 PM)
A California-bred maiden claiming race for two-year-old fillies with a large field of 14.
Key Contenders:
- Remember April (Post 12): Tim Yakteen trainee with Jeremy Laprida offers value in this competitive maiden field.
Pace Analysis: The large field should produce contested early fractions with potential pace collapse scenarios.
Selection: Remember April wins.
Race 8: Claiming – 1 Mile Turf (4:33 PM)
A $39,000 claiming race at one mile on the turf course.
Key Contenders:
- Beef Winslow (Post 1): Robert B. Hess Jr. trainee with Umberto Rispoli gets the rail advantage and class relief.
Secondary Choices:
- Malibu Coast (Post 2): Doug F. O’Neill runner with Antonio Fresu offers tactical speed.
Selection: Beef Winslow wins.
Race 9: Maiden Optional Claiming – 6½ Furlongs Dirt (5:03 PM)
The finale is a maiden optional claiming race for two-year-old fillies.
Key Contenders:
- Debby’s Gal (Post 3): Richard Baltas trainee with Juan J. Hernandez combines the leading jockey with a consistent trainer.
Selection: Debby’s Gal wins.
Jockey Notes and Insights
Juan J. Hernandez leads the current Santa Anita meet with 19 wins from 59 starts at an impressive 32% win rate. The 31-year-old has over 2,400 career wins and continues to dominate Southern California racing. His tactical brilliance and ability to judge pace make him the rider to follow.
Antonio Fresu has four wins from 32 starts at the current meet and maintains strong in-the-money percentages. His experience with both dirt and turf surfaces makes him valuable in multiple race scenarios.
Umberto Rispoli shows 13 wins from 57 starts with a solid 23% win rate and 63% in-the-money percentage. His European background provides excellent turf course expertise.
Trainer Notes and Insights
John W. Sadler remains one of the most consistent trainers at Santa Anita with strong win percentages across multiple meets. His horses typically show up prepared and ready to fire.
Doug F. O’Neill has six wins from 41 starts at the current meet. Known for getting horses ready for their spots, particularly with claiming horses.
Richard Baltas has shown consistent form throughout multiple Santa Anita meets with strong in-the-money percentages. His fillies and mares often perform well in allowance company.
Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
Best Single: Oveta’s Hobby in Race 1 combines the leading jockey with a top trainer in an ideal spot.
Best Value: Remember April in Race 7 offers potential at longer odds in a competitive maiden field.
Multi-Race Strategy: Focus on daily doubles connecting Races 1-2 (Oveta’s Hobby to Recall and Reload) and Races 8-9 (Beef Winslow to Debby’s Gal).
Pick 4 Play: Races 6-9 offer excellent value opportunities with competitive maiden fields that could produce attractive payouts.
