Santa Anita Saturday: California Cup Preview and Analysis

Saturday’s Card from Santa Anita features 5 stakes races. Three of the races are part of a what is known as the California Cup.

Morning line odds for Saturday’s card were not released at the writing of this piece. The numbers in this piece reflect the post position. Given that Santa Anita does not couple entries, the post position should be the same as the program number, but players should verify the numbers are correct before placing any wagers.

For morning lines odds and program number verifications check out the Equibase website as the day gets closer.

Stakes Analysis and Selections

Race 3-California Cup Derby

Post: 1:00 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 California Cup Derby, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

#4 FINNEUS is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & form. #5 STRAIGHT UP G merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed. The bloodlines look good for this spot as well. #3 FAST DRAW MUNNINGS wouldn't be a huge surprise in the winner's circle. #1 HIGHLAND GHOST should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections: 4-5-3-1

Race 6-Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes

Post: 2:30 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic S. Presented by City National Bank, 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8

#8 INDIAN PEAK has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & power rating. #3 ALIGATO should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pace numbers. #5 CAMINO DEL PARAISO makes sense on paper. #7 FERRARIANO is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 8-3-5-7

Race 9-Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes

Post: 3:30 PM PT; Purse: $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented by John Deere, About 6 1/2 Furlongs on Downhill turf; Entries: 13

#9 WARREN'S SHOWTIME is with a great chance based on the horse's class & power rating. #2 CALIFORNIA KOOK comes off a big effort last out & has pace numbers to suggest this one will be on or near the lead. #12 LEGGS GALORE is logical in this spot given edges in speed & form. #1 ALICE MARBLE rounds out the top 4 selections with competitive numbers in several key factors.

Selections: 9-2-12-1

Race 9-Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Stakes

Post: 4:00 PM PT; Purse: $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S., 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#7 PRINCIPE CARLO may not have the top numbers in any handicapping category, but the entire body of work makes this one very logical to get the money. #3 BRICKYARD RIDE should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form. #8 COLT FICTION has the best overall power rating in the group. #4 POSITIVITY is worth a look here given the connections and the fact that this one is likely to be on the front throughout.

Selections: 7-3-8-4

Race 10-Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks

Post: 4:30 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 12

#6 ELEUTHERA is worth a look here given edges in class looks to be a good fit here based on the family tree. #8 DENDERA is another live runner who should play a major role in the outcome of the race. #5 MADIHA merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form numbers in previous starts. #10 LA DEUXIEME ETOILE should have no problem getting the mile distance.

Selections: 6-8-5-10

Saturday Full Card Analysis and Selections

Santa Anita Park Race 1

Post: 12:00 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 7

#2 WORSE READ SANCHEZ is worth a look here given the breeding which suggests this one should be a perfect fit for these conditions. #3 FORE FLAG should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pace numbers. #5 JACK SIXPACK comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future. #6 PHILOSOPHER'S TONE wouldn't be a huge surprise in the winner's circle.

Selections: 2-3-5-6 (Best Bet: #2 WORSE READ SANCHEZ)

Santa Anita Park Race 2

Post: 12:30 PM PT; Purse: $39,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

#3 CAUSE SHE'S A LADY has a great shot in the race given the speed & class of this runner. #2 TIZZY TWISTER should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. #4 BELLE MY BELLE is with a great chance based on the horse's connections. The breeding is also solid for this group. #1 GHOSTEM could get a perfect pace scenario today.

Selections: 3-2-4-1

Santa Anita Park Race 3

Post: 1:00 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 California Cup Derby, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 4-5-3-1

Santa Anita Park Race 4

Post: 1:30 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 8

#4 HAIL FREEDOM is in with a major shot considering the speed & class numbers in the early career. #7 REALLY BIG NEWS has a foundation to build on and wouldn’t be a shocker. #1 SQUARE CAT looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. #2 LIMITED HEATWAVE is another interesting runner in this spot.

Selections: 4-7-1-2 (Best Bet: #4 HAIL FREEDOM)

Santa Anita Park Race 5

Post: 2:00 PM PT; Purse: $39,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#8 ARTHUR SPOONER has a great shot in the race given the speed & class shown so far. #4 STAY LIT has to be respected based on the connections. #1 BIG EVENT should be competitive based on the bloodline which is superior to many of these for dirt sprinting. #3 MAKE MINE WINE should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections: 8-4-1-3

Santa Anita Park Race 6

Post: 2:30 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic S. Presented by City National Bank, 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 8

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 8-3-5-7

Santa Anita Park Race 7

Post: 3:00 PM PT; Purse: $69,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#8 CRASH CORRIGAN is with a great chance based on the horse's connections & power rating. #3 ROOKIE MISTAKE looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. #2 SCARY FAST SMILE should be competitive today based on the horse's recent speed figures. #5 SUZIE QZZ BROTHER is one that appears to have an outsiders shot.

Selections: 8-3-2-5

Santa Anita Park Race 8

Post: 3:30 PM PT; Purse: $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented by John Deere, About 6 1/2 Furlongs on Downhill turf; Entries: 13

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 9-2-12-1

Santa Anita Park Race 9

Post: 4:00 PM PT; Purse: $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S., 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 7-3-8-4

Santa Anita Park Race 10

Post: 4:30 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 12

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 6-8-5-10

Santa Anita Weekend Action

Santa Anita will run cards on Friday and Sunday along with the stakes action on Saturday. For analysis on the other weekend cards, Betting News offers free handicapping tools and selections to help players of all levels solidify for their selections.