Santa Anita Picks- Graded Stakes Double Analysis: Saturday, December 30

Santa Anita features a pair of graded stakes on Saturday. The Joe Hernandez and the Robert “Bobby” Frankel are both carded. Check out our Santa Anita picks and analysis.

Full Card Analysis

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Santa Anita Picks- Race 1

$200k Joe Hernandez S. going about 6 1/2 f on downhill turf; Post: 12:00 PM PT; Entries: 13

• #2 BALNIKHOV (4-1): Gets the top selection. May benefit from a hot pace up front. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #10 TURN ON THE JETS (5-1): A major player in this race. Will run for the combination of Damato and Hernandez. Runs races good enough to beat this group.
• #11 OLYMPIC RUNNER (8-1): A major player in this race. Comes into the race in really good form. May benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #1 LUCKY SCORE (5-1): A major player in this race. May benefit from a hot pace up front. Goes out for the Casse barn and gets Rispoli in the irons.

Selections: 2 – 10 – 11 – 1

Santa Anita Picks- Race 2

$23k Maiden Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Post: 12:29 PM PT; Entries: 6

• #4 GRAND TIGER (8-5): Gets the top selection. Has the pedigree to be a major player. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 THE GIANTS CANDY (5-2): A major player in this race. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Has the pedigree to be a major player.
• #2 KING ZOG (9-5): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. A good bet to hit the board. Will run for the combination of Knapp and Gutierrez.
• #1 BLUEGRASS RYDER (8-1): Isn’t without hope. Projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run. Will run for the combination of Oviedo and Alsagoor.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 2 – 1

Santa Anita Picks- Race 3

$100k Robert J. Frankel S. going 1 1/8 m on turf; Post: 12:59 PM PT; Entries: 6

• #5 OAKHURST (5-2): Gets the top selection. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one. Has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed. Bet today’s best Best Bet at BetUS
• #6 YERWANTHERE (2-1): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. Will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run. Has been running against decent company.
• #4 LUMINIFEROUS (8-1): Isn’t without hope. Has been running against decent company. A dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #1 LAKOTA SPIRIT (5-2): Isn’t without hope. Has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed. Projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 4 – 1

Santa Anita Picks- Race 4

$32k Claiming going 1 m on dirt; Post: 1:29 PM PT; Entries: 5

• #4 DIRECT LINE (5-2): Gets the top selection. The class of the field. A dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #3 GOOD JUJU (5-2): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. Has been running against decent company. Likely to be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #5 ZIMBA WARRIOR (4-1): Isn’t without hope. Has been running against decent company.
• #1 SETTECENTO (5-1): Isn’t without hope. Has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 5 – 1

Santa Anita Picks- Race 5

$65k Maiden Special Weight going 1 m on turf; Post: 1:59 PM PT; Entries: 7

• #2 QUICK KATE (5-2): Should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one. Goes out for the Lewis barn and gets Hernandez in the irons.
• #3 LAMPORGHINI (2-1): Will be competitive in this spot. Will likely be part of the early pace. Has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #6 O K ROSE (5-2): Isn’t without hope. Has the pedigree to be a major player. Comes into the race in really good form.
• #4 BE A GOLDFISH (6-1): Should improve off the first start and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. Comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 6 – 4

Santa Anita Picks- Race 6

$38k Starter Optional Claiming going 1 m on dirt; Post: 2:29 PM PT; Entries: 5

• #3 HONDO CROUCH (9-5): Gets the top selection. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Will run for the combination of Glatt and Fresu.
• #4 DUAL THREAT (8-1): A major player in this race. Has been running against decent company. Projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run.
• #1 DEL MAR JERRY (5-2): Will be competitive in this spot. Will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run. The class of the field.
• #2 BENDETTIJOE (2-1): Isn’t without hope. Makes sense on speed figures. Has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2

Santa Anita Picks- Race 7

$27k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 f on dirt; Post: 2:59 PM PT; Entries: 12

• #1 MR. CHIVAS (6-1): Gets the top selection. Makes sense on speed figures. Runs really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #7 MIDNIGHT LOVE (5-1): Will be competitive in this spot. Should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well-timed run at the leaders.
• #10 POLIS (12-1): A price horse and isn’t without hope. Goes out for the Yakteen barn and gets Torrealba in the irons.
• #3 LETSHAVEONEMORE (8-1): Debuts here and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Will run for the combination of Sadler and Kimura.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 10 – 3

Santa Anita Picks- Race 8

$65k Maiden Special Weight going 1 m on turf; Post: 3:29 PM PT; Entries: 8

• #8 BE PUNCTUAL (4-1): Gets the top selection. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Has the pedigree to be a major player.
• #2 ANTIBES (4-1): Will be competitive in this spot. Has been running against decent company. Will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run.
• #4 DARK MARCUS (4-1): Has a shot in this race. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed.
• #3 GET THE GOLD (7-2): Has a shot in this race. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one. Should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well-timed run at the leaders.

Selections: 8 – 2 – 4 – 3

Santa Anita Picks- Race 9

$23k Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Post: 3:59 PM PT; Entries: 12

• #11 MAGNIFICENT RIDE (6-1): Gets the top selection. Goes out for the Palma barn and gets Fresu in the irons. He’s been hot of late. Has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts. Bet the longshot of the card at BetOnline.
• #8 FEROCIOUSLY (6-1): A major player in this race. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one.
• #6 BUCK OWENS (5-1): A major player in this race. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Has been running against decent company.
• #12 LANSDOWNE (7-2): Will be competitive in this spot. Goes out for the Morfin barn and gets Herrera in the irons. A dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 11 – 8 – 6 – 12

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

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

Tuesday

• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 1 American Oaks, Malibu, and La Brea Stakes.

Saturday

• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring a trio of Graded Stakes.
• Oaklawn Park Picks featuring the Poinsettia Stakes.
• Santa Anita Picks featuring a pair of graded stakes races.
• Fair Grounds Picks featuring the Woodchopper Stakes.

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