Santa Anita Pick 6 – March 13th

Saturday’s pick six from Santa Anita Park includes a pair of graded events. First up is the Grade 1 Santa Margarita, and Zenyatta packs on the pounds (127) in her seasonal bow and Apple Blossom tune-up. Two races later, 3yo’s take center stage in the Grade 2 San Felipe. Five logical contenders in the seven horse field. Sidney’s Candy is the one to catch, and American Lion and Caracortado will be tracking intently. Interactif and Dave In Dixie are the ones to fear late in a deep and contentious prep for the Santa Anita Derby. Partly cloudy are expected with a high temperature of 67. My suggested tickets can be found at the bottom of this post following analysis.

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Degree of Difficulty: Moderate. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Saturday pick six from Santa Anita rates a 6.

Possible Singles: My Man Sumo (6^th race), Zenyatta (7^th race), Top Feeling (8^th race), Hit The Brix (10^th race)

Jarrod Horak’s Santa Anita Pick 6 analysis – Saturday, March 13, 2010

Santa Anita Race 5 (OC-62.5/2x, 4up, 8.5f) #6 Mr. Big (6-1) was training well for his comeback on Feb 10^th, and he finished with interest after a slow beginning from the rail that day. Four solid drills since, and Baffert excels 2^nd off the shelf. Barn also has #8 Viscount (4-1), and he will appreciate a return to the optional claiming ranks. #9 Massone (7-2) frequently settles for minor placings, but he has tackled stakes foes in 9 of last 10. Lone optional claiming start in that timeframe resulted in a sharp turf tally. Bejarano had options but ends up here, and he has no problem with synthetic ground. #1 One Track Mind (8-1) is training well for this and might get brave if able to sneak away early.

Santa Anita Race 6 (Clm-10k, 4up, 6f) #1 My Man Sumo (3-1) cuts back and switches surfaces, and Mullins excels with this type of class tumbler. Bejarano sees fit the ride. #10 A Royal Tizzy (7-2) projects an outside speed trip, and the sharp gelding could easily make it three straight. #8 White Lace Jimmy (6-1) has not been seen in 7+ months, but he has quality connections in his corner and is a capable late running sprinter.

Santa Anita Race 7 (Grade 1 Santa Margarita Hcp, f&m 4up, 9f) All eyes on #8 Zenyatta (1-9) in this spot. She uncorked a big work on March 5^th to signal her eagerness to return to action. She will not be fully cranked for her Apple Blossom prep, but she does not have to be either. She should cruise past this crew in the late stages. #1 Dance To My Tune (50-1) is winless in thirteen turf tries, and I have been waiting for her to flee that footing. Too bad she runs into Zenyatta, but she’s as good as the others and could complete a decent exacta payoff. Note that she has banked over $300k on synthetic ground.

Santa Anita Race 8 (OC-25/1x, CA-bred 4up, 8T) #6 Top Feeling (5-1) looms large in his current form. Was headed in an off the turf affair last time, and his previous outing resulted in a 4-length turf tally. Stalking type retains top jock. #5 Renegade Storm (7-2) graduated at this course/distance, but he has lost six straight since. Late running purse nibbler will get up one of these days. #2 Thorondor (6-1) has not been seen in over a year, and Vienna does fine work with this type of returnee. Will take them as far as he can.

Santa Anita Race 9 (Grade 2 San Felipe, 3yo, 8.5f) I am looking for #4 American Lion (4-1) to turn the tables on #7 Caracortado (5-2). The former was too fresh chasing Tiz Chrome in the Lewis. He was coming off the shelf and making his route bow that day, and he did all of the pace dirty work in a better than appears effort. Should move forward (blinkers on) and get first run trip if able to relax behind quality speedster #5 Sidney’s Candy (3-1). If my top wastes too much early energy again, than Caracortado can keep his perfect record intact. The professional Cal-bred is 2 for 2 at this course and distance. Sidney’s Candy flashed juvenile promise, and he looked great in 7f San Vicente last time. Bred to route and has the raw talent to wire these. #2 Interactif (4-1) is a talented turf performer trying synthetic for the first time. Owns running style versatility and attracts Bejarano. #6 Dave In Dixie (3-1) sucked up for the place in needed Lewis return. Needs pace help and can move up, but he’s still eligible for an entry level affair.

Santa Anita Race 10 (Clm-12.5/2L, f&m 4up, 6f) #2 Hit The Brix (7-2) graduated right out of the box in a maiden claimer across town. She has faced starter allowance foes in a pair of starts since, and she went down the dip last time. Back in for a tag and top jock strings along. #9 Tribul Witch (8-1) ran into a sharp foe (Stash) for $25k last time. Has never raced this low and connections easy to like.

Saturday Pick 6 Tickets

Budget Play:  $2 Pick Six  1-6-8-9/1/8/6/2-4-5-6-7/2-9 ($80)

The Big Ticket:  $2 Pick Six  1-6-8-9/1-8-10/8/2-5-6/2-4-5-6-7/2 ($360)

Check out the 2010 Kentucky Derby Power Rankings at Horse Racing Nation.

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