Santa Anita Saturday (1/28): San Pasqual Stakes Analysis

The Saturday card from Santa Anita Park features the Las Virgenes and San Pasqual Stakes. Hoppper was installed as the favorite in the feature but has questions to answer.

Santa Anita Park- Race 1

Post: 12:30 PM PT; $39k Maiden Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 6

• #3 REAL FIRE (8-5) gets the top selection. She shouldn't have trouble with the 6 1/2 furlong distance. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #2 ALBAYAADER (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #1 JERUSALEMA (5-2) definitely seems to fit here though seems the unlikeliest of those at the top of the market.
• #5 SOUL OF A WARRIOR (8-1) seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest but could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 1 – 5

Santa Anita Park- Race 2

Post: 1:00 PM PT; $200k Las Virgenes S. going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 6

• #4 PRIDE OF THE NILE (3-1) is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #6 JUSTIQUE (9-5) appears to be a major player in this race. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #5 UNCONTROLLABLE (8-1) looks to be the class of the field. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #1 FAIZA (8-5) should be competitive in this spot. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 5 – 1

Santa Anita Park- Race 3

Post: 1:30 PM PT; $72k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 9

• #5 SHOCKING GREY (5-1) looks best here. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders. The price is right.
• #2 TRUE PATRIOT (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #8 SUNSHINE BABE (7-2) could be in with a shot in this race. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #4 ELEUTHERA (4-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 8 – 4

Santa Anita Park- Race 4

Post: 2:00 PM PT; $39k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 SWEET HELLO (3-1) gets the top selection. She has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one will likely be out on or near the lead and will look to hold off the charge to the wire.
• #5 NOBE (5-1) should improve off the first start and should be competitive in this spot. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Puype and Desormeaux.
• #8 SUE GENEROUS (4-1) could be in with a shot in this race. She makes sense on speed figures.
• #2 LUCKY VEGAS (8-1) feels like the type that is begging to hit the board, but may not be good enough to find the winner’s circle.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 8 – 2

Santa Anita Park- Race 5

Post: 2:30 PM PT; $67k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 7

• #5 CUBAN CRISIS (5-2) is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 DENIM IN GOLD (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #2 LUCKY FOR YOU (6-5) should improve off the first start and should be competitive in this spot. She comes into the race in really good form. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #7 SNIP (6-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 7

Santa Anita Park- Race 6

Post: 3:00 PM PT; $72k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 STREET RUCKUS (2-1) looks best here. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #3 FINNEUS (3-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He may benefit from a hot pace up front. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #5 MANITOWISH (12-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. He has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #1 ROYAL ACT (5-2) makes sense on speed figures. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 5 – 1

Santa Anita Park- Race 7

Post: 3:30 PM PT; $67k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 7

• #4 MOON ICE (6-5) gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Sadler and Hernandez. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance.
• #6 SPIRITUAL ADVISOR (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. This one will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #7 TRANSITORY (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. He shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #3 BUCK OWENS (4-1) seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 7 – 3

Santa Anita Park- Race 8

Post: 4:00 PM PT; $200k San Pasqual S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 9

• #9 MESSIER (6-1) is the top pick. He has races good enough to beat this group.
• #6 NEWGRANGE (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #2 TRIPOLI (4-1) isn't without hope. He looks to be the class of the field. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #1 HOPPER (5-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.

Selections: 9 – 6 – 2 – 1

Santa Anita Park- Race 9

Post: 4:30 PM PT; $72k Allowance going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 13

• #6 KITTY KITANA (3-1) looks best here. She has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of D'Amato and Hernandez.
• #10 AGREETODISAGREE (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #4 HONEY JAR (6-1) isn't without hope. She comes into the race in solid form.
• #12 POP POP'S DREAM (12-1) is a price horse and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 6 – 10- 4 – 12

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