Los Alamitos Picks – Saturday, December 16, 2023: Futurity Analysis

Ten points to the Kentucky Derby are on the line Saturday. The winner of the Los Alamitos Futurity will be one step closer to their Derby Dreams. Check out our expert Los Alamitos picks!

Trainer Bob Baffert has half the field in this year’s contest. The trainer who led both Justify and American Pharoah to their recent Triple Crowns has won the race 7 times in the last 9 years.

Full Card Analysis

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Los Alamitos Picks – Race 1

Post: 12:30 PM PT; $20k Maiden Claiming going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 TOKAMAK (2-1) claims the top spot. Boasting solid early pace figures in a race lacking considerable front-running speed, with tactical speed for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 PRAY FOR ME RAY (6-1) is a major player. Consistently solid in recent starts and the class of the field.
• #2 BRING HIM HOME (5-2) isn’t without hope, making sense on speed figures.
• #5 HILL SIXTEEN (7-2) is likely best for underneath on most tickets. Solid early pace figures in a race lacking substantial front-running speed.

Selections: 7 – 1 – 2 – 5

Los Alamitos Picks – Race 2

Post: 12:58 PM PT; $29k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 ROSIE ANN RULES (6-5) secures the top selection. Unfazed by the distance, positioned in the second tier of runners, looking for a well-timed run at the leaders.
• #3 JUST IS (5-2) is a significant player. Running against decent company, a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #4 RYDER’S CANDY (4-1) will be competitive. Making sense on speed figures.
• #1 BOUGIE LIKE (4-1) should improve off the first start and likely best for underneath on most tickets. A dangerous threat to get loose on the front end, consistently solid in recent starts.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 4 – 1

Los Alamitos Picks – Race 3

Post: 1:28 PM PT; $29k Maiden Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 SCREAMING VIRGINIA (8-5) claims the top spot. Running races good enough to surpass this group, with solid early pace figures in a race lacking considerable front-running speed.
• #4 LADY CRUISER (3-1) debuts and isn’t without hope. Running for the combination of Sadler and Torrealba.
• #1 PRINCESS SNOW (7-2) debuts and likely best for underneath on most tickets. Possesses the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #5 BELLE EPOQUE (3-1) debuts and likely best for underneath on most tickets. Goes out for the O’Neill barn with Maldonado in the irons.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 1 – 5

Los Alamitos Picks – Race 4

Post: 1:58 PM PT; $21k Starter Allowance going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 7

• #3 ESTABLISHED (8-5) secures the top selection. Running races good enough to surpass this group.
• #1 OIL CAN KNIGHT (4-1) is a major player. Making sense on speed figures, running evenly with a very fair pace scenario.
• #2 RED CROSS KNIGHT (2-1) isn’t without hope. Possesses tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. Proven ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #4 GROWTH ENGINE (15-1) is a price horse and likely best for underneath on most tickets. Unfazed by the distance, consistently solid in recent starts.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 2 – 4

Los Alamitos Picks – Race 5

Post: 2:28 PM PT; $16k Claiming going 5 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 STAFFORD TO KUPP (2-1) gets the top selection. Running races good enough to surpass this group, with tactical speed for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #7 TRIBAL IMPACT (12-1) is a price horse and a major player. Running races good enough to surpass this group, partnering with Garcia and Figueroa.
• #1 ECHO ALPHA SIX (10-1) is a price horse and competitive in this spot. Likely to have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run, running for the combination of Williams and Camacho.
• #4 CATBERNAY (6-1) will be competitive. Going out for the Naranjo barn and guided by Orduna-Rojas. Running against decent company.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 1 – 4

Los Alamitos Picks – Race 6

Post: 2:58 PM PT; $29k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 11

• #10 LAST CALL PAUL (2-1) claims the best bet of the day. Although the price is short, this one is the class of the field, boasting solid early pace figures in a race lacking substantial front-running speed. Bet the best bet of the card on BetUS.
• #5 WINNING BIG (15-1) is a price horse and will be competitive. Likely to have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run.
• #8 GRAZEN BOY (20-1) is a price horse and competitive. A good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #2 EDDIE’S WAVE (6-1) should improve off the first start and a fringe contender in this spot. Proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 10 – 5 – 8 – 2

Los Alamitos Picks – Race 7

Post: 3:28 PM PT; $45k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #4 BENEFICIAL (5-2) should improve off the first start and secures the top selection. Positioned in the second tier of runners, looking for a well-timed run at the leaders. Running for the combination of Baffert and Frey.
• #1 MARCH OF TIME (2-1) debuts and has a shot in this race. Running for the combination of Baffert and Hernandez.
• #5 SCATIFY (4-1) debuts and likely running for minor placings.
• #3 SHARP LORENZO (10-1) is a price horse and likely running for minor placings. Boasting solid early pace figures in a race lacking substantial front-running speed.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 5 – 3

Los Alamitos Picks – Race 8

Post: 3:58 PM PT; $33k Claiming going 5 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 BELLA VIENNA (2-1) claims the top selection. Unfazed by the distance, with solid early pace figures in a race lacking substantial front-running speed.
• #1 UNIFIED A. P. (3-1) is a major player. Possessing tactical speed and able to sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #2 BOSSY BRUIN GAL (4-1) is a major player. Running races good enough to surpass this group.
• #5 WOK DON’T RUN (3-1) is a major player. Making sense on speed figures and boasting the top overall power rating in the group.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 2 – 5

Los Alamitos Picks – Race 9

Post: 4:28 PM PT; $200k Los Alamitos Futurity going 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 WINE ME UP (5-2) claims the top spot. Unfazed by the distance and running for the combination of Baffert and Hernandez.
• #3 STRONGHOLD (3-1) has a shot. Unfazed by the distance.
• #4 ACE OF CLUBS (15-1) is a price horse and a fringe contender. Proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 MOONLIT SONATA (5-1) should improve off the first start and likely best for underneath on most tickets. Making sense on speed figures.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 4 – 1

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In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Friday

• Los Alamitos Picks featuring the Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes
• Remington Park Picks featuring the Springboard Mile

Saturday

• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the H. Allen Jerkins
• Los Alamitos Picks featuring the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity

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