Santa Anita Park Saturday: Downhill Turf Astra Stakes Analysis

The Saturday card from Santa Anita Park features the Astra Stakes. The stakes race will be run down the unique 6 1/2 furlong downhill turf course.

Santa Anita Park- Race 1

Post: 12:00 PM PT; $40k Starter Allowance going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 9

• #4 PERCOLATE (5-2) gets the top selection. He comes into the race in really good form. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #7 ONE FAST BRO (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mil distance.
• #9 SPIRIT MAKER (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Sadler and Hernandez.
• #3 BARSABAS (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 9 – 3

Santa Anita Park- Race 2

Post: 12:29 PM PT; $34k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #3 GOLDENSPA (6-5) is the top pick. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of O'Neill and Hernandez.
• #4 STOP AND A TRES (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He seems to fit well enough here.
• #5 PACIFIC STATES (7-2) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #7 TAKE CHARGE CURLY (5-1) isn't without hope. He makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 5 – 7

Santa Anita Park- Race 3

Post: 12:59 PM PT; $40k Starter Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 10

• #7 ELEVADO (15-1) is a price horse and looks best here. He makes sense on speed figures. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #6 WHO'S CANDY (3-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 REALLY BIG NEWS (12-1) is a price horse and is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #5 WYFIRE (4-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He has races good enough to beat this group.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 1 – 5

Santa Anita Park- Race 4

Post: 1:29 PM PT; $24k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #1 ROSY EDGE (4-1) gets the top selection. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #3 SADDLE UP JESSIE (12-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Callaghan and Dettori. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #5 SUGAR SUGAR (5-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #10 SAPADILLA (5-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She is well bred for this spot.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 5 – 10

Santa Anita Park- Race 5

Post: 1:59 PM PT; $26k Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #9 HORN OF PLENTY (20-1) is a horse that could shock this field. The connections are sneaky on this one.
• #3 SMILEFORME (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #7 TIZLIGHTNING (4-1)shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #8 MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (8-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 9 – 3 – 7 – 8

Santa Anita Park- Race 6

Post: 2:29 PM PT; $39k Maiden Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 9

• #5 THE KEY IS UNITY (5-2) looks best here. He has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #8 MITAD DEL MUNDO (4-1) projects to sit mid pack and come with one run. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #2 ROY C (4-1) goes out for the Miller barn and gets Hernandez in the irons.
• #9 BIG FLINT (8-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance. This one comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 2 – 9

Santa Anita Park- Race 7

Post: 2:59 PM PT; $26k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 11

• #3 SIPPIN N KISSIN (4-1) gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Alvarez and Rispoli. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #10 NOLO CONTESTO (3-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one goes out for the O'Neill barn and gets Maldonado in the irons.
• #11 CRYPTO MUNNY (8-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #9 SOCAL RED (15-1) will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 3 – 10- 11- 9

Santa Anita Park- Race 8

Post: 3:29 PM PT; $100k Astra S. going 1 1/2 miles on downhill turf; Entries: 9

• #3 QUEEN OFTHE TEMPLE (3-1) is the top pick. This one goes out for the Blacker barn and gets Hernandez in the irons.
• #2 LADY CLEMENTINE (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She makes sense on speed figures. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #1 WARRENS CANDY GIRL (6-1) seems to fit well enough here. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/2 mile distance.
• #4 DUVET DAY (6-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 1 – 4

Santa Anita Park- Race 9

Post: 3:59 PM PT; $40k Starter Optional Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #4 STAY IN THE GAME (10-1) is a price horse and looks best here. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #11 MENTIROSA (20-1) is a price horse and appears to be a major player in this race. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 MISTER BEAMS (6-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Yakteen and Espinoza. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #8 CROWNING GOLD (4-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance. Mike Smith climbs aboard here.

Selections: 4 – 11- 1 – 8

Santa Anita Park- Race 10

Post: 4:29 PM PT; $67k Maiden Special Weight going 6 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 13

• #1 DANDY MAN SHINES (7-2) gets the top selection. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #3 VALIANCER (15-1) is a price horse and could be in with a shot in this race. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Mullins and Berrios.
• #4 FLEET FEET (12-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 6 1/2 furlong distance.
• #9 ZIO JO (12-1) is a price horse and makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 4 – 9

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