Santa Anita Race 1: Post: 12:30 PT Grade: B+
Main Ticket: 8-Mr. Leasure.
Backups: none.

Forecast: Mr. Leasure toyed with maiden $50,000 foes in his first outing since joining the T. Yakteen barn and did so with the type of authority that should enable him to score right back in this extended turf sprint for starter optional claiming runners. In a race that projects to have minimal pace pressure, the son of Distorted Humor should inherit the role as the controlling speed, though from his comfortable outside draw the four year-old gelding can stalk, pounce, and go if the race flow dictates. He won’t be much of a price, but we can use him as a confident rolling exotic single.


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Santa Anita Race 2: Post: 1:02 PT Grade: B
Main Ticket: 5-Momo’s Kiddo; 2-Constant Conflict.
Backups:4-Golden River.

Forecast: Momo’s Kiddo failed at 70 cents on the dollar when last seen in early December at Pleasanton but after almost three months of vacation the son of Richard’s Kid should be able to bounce back in a big way in his first start for “improvement” trainer T. McCanna. Though he has plenty of early zip, the lightly raced gelding doesn’t need the lead to win, so A. Espinoza can play the break and develop his game plan on the fly. Constant Conflict was a convincing winner in a lesser (nw-2) $8,000 seller over the local main track last month and earned a figure that makes him competitive on the raise. He’s probably most comfortable on the front end and while facing a bit more heat today could wind up being the quickest of the quick.


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Santa Anita Race 3: Post: 1:33 PT Grade: B+
Main Ticket: 4-Wound Up.
Backups: 8-Harcyn.

Forecast: Wound Up earned a huge figure when demolishing a similar field on the main track last month but remains eligible for the same condition because this starter optional claimer in being contested on grass. We’re not positive he he can handle turf as well as dirt, but if he is able to, he’ll be long gone. Worth noting is that the L. Barocio-trained gelding was a vet scratch when entered back on February 7, but we’ll operate under the assumption that he’s physically okay today.


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Santa Anita Race 4: Post: 2:04 PT Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1-Shop Till You Drop; 5-Moonlight Tryst.
Backups: none.

Forecast: Shop Till You Drop was simply outrun when a distant third in a similar restricted (nw-2) $16,000 dash last month but was claimed by trainer S. McCarthy, given a month off, and should be capable of snapping back in this abbreviated sprint for fillies and mares. The rail may be a concern but if the daughter of Free Drop Billy breaks well she could use the inside draw to her advantage. Moonlight Tryst drops to her lowest level ever after winning a maiden $50,000 affair two runs back at Los Alamitos from off the pace. This is a realistic spot for her based on speed figures and she might get the help she needs up front to be dangerous.

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Santa Anita Race 5: Post: 2:35 PT Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1-Atia; 2-Big Leap
Backups: 7-Giggle Giggle; 6-Allihies.

Forecast: This grass grab bag for maiden $80,000 sophomore fillies requires as much coverage as your budget will allow. Let’s take a stab with Atia to wire the field from her inside draw. The daughter of City of Light displayed good speed for a half mile against an infinitely tougher straight maiden sprint field in her debut last month before fading in the lane, but against this group over a mile from an advantageous inside draw and with the switch to J. Hernandez she could get very brave if handed the role as the controlling speed. She’s certainly bred to run this far. Big Leap also takes the all-important drop from maiden to maiden claiming, adds Lasix, and recorded a bullet breeze since raced in :46 3/5 over the training track. She makes a positive jockey switch to U. Rispoli and seems likely to find enough pace up front to compliment her late running style.


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Santa Anita Race 6: Post: 3:06 PT Grade: B
Main Ticket: 4-Cowboy Mike.
Backups: 5-Ill Bellator.

Forecast: Cowboy Mike had no excuse when benefitting from a perfect trip in a recent seven furlong affair at this level at even money, hanging through the lane to wind up second behind Champett. However that one returned to win his next start in good fashion, so perhaps we shouldn’t be too critical. J. Hernandez rides him back for B. Baffert, and with two previous wins over the local main track the son of Smiling Tiger should be given the chance to make amends. He’s also a three time winner over this mile trip.


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Santa Anita Race 7: Post: 3:37 PT Grade: A-
Main Ticket: 5-Canto Della Terra; 7-Firenze Flavor.
Backups: none.

Forecast: Canto Della Terra was visually quite pleasing beating maidens her U.S. debut in a six furlong affair over this turf course, and while taking a raise in class and stretching out to a mile makes this a tougher task, the talented sophomore should be capable of winning right back. The Irish-bred daughter of Zodiak displayed a sharp turn of foot in victory and given the patient ride she surely will enjoy from L. Dettori, the P. D’Amato-trained import seems likely to be along in time. Firenze Flavor was equally impressive in her maiden score over this course and distance while producing a late kick that was nothing short of electric and is strictly the one our top pick must fear the most. She’s had two easy breezes since raced to tick her over and with any kind of forward move the daughter of Liam’s Map will be a bold threat right back.


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Santa Anita Race 8: Post: 4:08 PT Grade: B+
Main Ticket: 6-Brilliantly; 3-Velocity.
Backups: 7-Formula Rossa.

Forecast: This looks like a much stronger than par race for maiden special weight 3-year-old fillies and could produce a future star. Brilliantly missed her scheduled debut last month when she came up sick on race day, but based on her recent workouts the highly regarded daughter of Uncle Mo is ready to roll today. A tall, lengthy filly with plenty of scope, the B. Baffert-trained filly has consistently breezed fast without being asked for her best speed, so if she doesn’t mess up the break we expect her to see her on or near the lead throughout. Velocity has been impressive in her morning trials as well and may be just as handy as our top pick. She has displayed the quick action of an early winner and while first timers from the M. McCarthy barn often need a race, this one may prove to be the exception to the rule.


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Santa Anita Race 9: Post: 4:38 PT Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 8-Dr. Ray D.; 2-Cheeky Gal.
Backups: 1-Unwritten Code: 5-A Real Jewel.

Forecast: Dr. Ray D., in the frame in her last four starts, should fire another big shot today in this six furlong turf sprint for $25,000 claiming fillies and mares. She does her best work from mid-pack and the projected race shape should promote her late running style. The daughter of Constitution earned a career top Beyer figure in her most recent start when a sharp runner-up and another forward move today certainly is possible. Cheeky Gal, second behind our top pick at Los Alamitos two runs back, returns to grass, arguably her preferred surface. She has a bit more tactical speed than her main rival and the switch to J. Hernandez cannot be underestimated.


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