Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Friday's meeting at Santa Anita.
20.00
BRIX is the most exposed but found only one too good over track and trip on his return from a two-month lay-off and can finally open his account representing the meets current leading trainer. Handsome Cat has plenty to find with the selection but Caerulean looks a likely improver having debuted over 6f here last month and Desert Swarm could also figure if making the line-up. Betito is a newcomer to note partnered by a leading track jockey.
20.32
TOP OF THE GAME is at his best here having recorded six of eight career wins so far at the track. He scored by over five lengths on his last visit in January and looks the one to beat once again. Play Hard To Get and Boy Howdy filled the places behind the selection in January but Camino De Estrella looks a bigger threat. The latter ships in from Turf Paradise having gone close in an allowance race last time and finished ahead of Rockandahardplace at the same track earlier.
21.04
Trafficiskillingme has won twice on the Turf this year but has yet to score on the main track while K P Cats Wild won a maiden claimer here last month but had earlier finished behind K P Whirlwind. The latter could only manage fourth when BILLY K was runner-up over track and trip back in January and it’s Ryan Hanson’s filly that get the gets the vote to come out best given she finished ahead of a subsequent winner on that occasion. Destiny's Journey has been competing on the Turf of late but can figure with a repeat of November’s second at Del Mar.
21.36
Restless Rambler disappointed when failing to land the odds here last month though has the past form to go close while Blackout beat Portando over track and trip in January when partnered by Flavien Prat. But the meet’s current leading rider is back on board ITALIANO today having won on the latter at the end of last year and Vann Belvoir’s charge is fancied to make a bold bid in this. Morgan S. was narrowly beaten in a similar contest over track and trip last month and is preferred to the returning Spanish Hombre, who hasn’t raced since 2018.
22.07
Minoso has been keeping better company than this but one win in 21 attempts so far doesn’t boost confidence. Satrapa has bits of form that could see him figure but hasn’t raced since October and TROMADOR is preferred. The latter is the least exposed of these and having finished a close-up third here recently with the re-opposing Red Valor well behind, looks the one to side with for a yard in flying form.
22.38
Tig Tog beat Wind Tartare easily enough in a less valuable claimer here last month though will need to step up on her latest effort in this grade. Point Hope also beat Wind Tartare when runner-up at the track earlier and can figure again but Flying To The Line has struggled since scoring over track and trip at the start of the year. KITTYHAWK LASS (NAP) won a starters race at Del Mar back in November and has been competing in allowance races subsequently. She should find life easier at this lower level and Mike Puype’s filly can return to winning ways.
23.09
MERNEITH has the strongest form in this. A runner-up in both outings at this level, Bob Baffert’s filly can open her account today and is preferred to stablemate and American Pharoah newcomer As Time Goes By. Saving Sophie has failed to show any progress on the Turf recently but has stronger form on this surface and makes more appeal than Last First Kiss while Lil Miss Moppet should improve for this extra distance for one of the track’s leading trainer’s. River Girl is another American Pharoah newcomer partnered by Flavien Prat for her debut.
23.39
Much More Halo went close for Bob Baffert dropped down in trip here last month. He’s placed over a mile before and has already beaten both Eastern Ocean and Capital Call but ABSOLUTE UNIT is preferred. The latter was beaten less than a length here attempting a mile for the first time and should have no problem confirming running with Port Saint Joe. Railsplitter returned from a short break with an improved effort and Cosmo can figure if making the line-up.
