Santa Anita Saturday: San Vicente, Megahertz, Palos Verdes Analysis

Santa Anita has 3 stakes races on Saturday’s card. The San Vincente will feature Cal-bred 3 year olds. The Megahertz and the Palos Verdes are for older horses.

California Connections

To those who don’t regularly play a circuit, getting to know the jockeys and trainers can help provide clarity to the handicapping picture. Betting News has exclusive jockey and trainer analysis tools that can help horseplayers break down the standings even further through the use of distance and surface filters.

Jockey Standings

The following jockeys have double digit victories thus far during the Santa Anita meet.

1. Flavien Prat (34)
2. John Velazquez (21)
3. Juan Hernandez (14)
4. Abel Cedillo (12)

Trainer Standings

The following trainers have double digit victories thus far during the Santa Anita meet.

1. Bob Baffert (14)
2. Philip D'Amato (12)
3. Doug F. O'Neill (10)

Stakes Analysis

Santa Anita Park Race 4- San Vicente Stakes

Post: 2:00 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 San Vicente S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

PP2 PINEHURST should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form. PP1 FORBIDDEN KINGDOM will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race. PP3 MCLAREN VALE should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group. PP4 DOPPELGANGER is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections.

Selections: 2-1-3-4

Santa Anita Park Race 7- Megahertz Stakes

Post: 3:30 PM PT; Purse: $100,000 Megahertz S., 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 8

PP2 WARREN'S SHOWTIME is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & power rating. PP4 BODHICITTA has the edge speed & pace numbers which makes her a big threat here. PP7 BURGOO ALLEY is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions. PP3 MADONE will be ridden by Joe Bravo who can often elevate runners on the grass.

Selections: 2-4-7-3

Santa Anita Park Race 8- Palos Verdes Stakes

Post: 4:00 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Palos Verdes S., 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

PP3 CEZANNE is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form. PP2 ESSENTIAL WAGER is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & power rating. PP1 DARK VADER comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future. PP6 ARHAM makes sense as a fringe contender as well.

Selections: 3-2-1-6 (Best Bet: #3 CEZANNE)

Saturday Analysis

Santa Anita Park Race 1

Post: 12:30 PM PT; Purse: $40,000 Starter Allowance, 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 12

PP5 BRISTOL BAYOU looks like a strong prospect edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & power rating. PP12 MISS CAROUSEL has to be respected based on the connections. PP4 STORMING LADY merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & class. PP2 SAVVY GAL wouldn't be a huge surprise in the winner's circle.

Selections: 5-12-4-2

Santa Anita Park Race 2

Post: 1:00 PM PT; Purse: $24,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

PP1 FUNKENSTEIN has a great shot in the race given the the connections and superior class. PP4 STRAUS'S PLACE is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers. PP3 INESPERADO and PP5 VERRAGIO make sense if the price is right.

Selections: 1-4-3-5

Santa Anita Park Race 3

Post: 1:30 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 7

With these high level maidens, the board is often one of the best indicators of success. Players should be combining handicapping opinion with tote board signals to finalize their opinions.

PP7 ROCKY GIBRALTAR should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. PP6 LIBERTY FOREVER is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form. PP2 COOL ACCLAIM is another that is likely to be on or near the lead. PP1 DIVINE RASCAL merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & record at the distance.

Selections: 7-6-2-1

Santa Anita Park Race 4

Post: 2:00 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 San Vicente S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 2-1-3-4

Santa Anita Park Race 5

Post: 2:30 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 9

PP1 CUBAN CRISIS is worth a look here given edges in connections & pace numbers. PP3 BANJO QUEEN will be forward, which is a better advantage on the dirt than turf, but this one will still have to be passed by horses who have never won before. PP7 MIDNIGHT SILENCE is an interesting horse that could be a factor to at least hit the board. PP2 SHE'S GOT A WAY merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & class.

Selections: 1-3-7-2

Santa Anita Park Race 6

Post: 3:00 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

PP1 FAMILY AFFAIR has to be respected based on the connections. PP2 IRONIC TWIST could be ready to pop a big performance in this spot. PP6 MUSICA and PP7 SECRET FIX are both runners that make some sense. With little concrete data to go in this field, I will lean heavily on the tote board and the on track appearance to establish any final opinions.

Selections: 1-2-6-7

Santa Anita Park Race 7

Post: 3:30 PM PT; Purse: $100,000 Megahertz S., 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 8

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 2-4-7-3

Santa Anita Park Race 8

Post: 4:00 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Palos Verdes S., 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 3-2-1-6

Santa Anita Park Race 9

Post: 4:30 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 10

PP8 SQUILLIONS looks to be a major player in this field. PP5 PAMMY'S READY looks like a strong prospect edging the field in several key handicapping factors including record at the distance & pace numbers. PP4 ANNIE'S SONG should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & connections. PP3 DUVET DAY is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 8-5-4-3