Get free Santa Anita Park Memorial Day program Picks. Including five stakes, all graded under the sunshine of California.
RACE 1
BEST BET: CASTLE GATE
Castle Gate returned from a layoff with a facile success over 6f here and is taken to defy this rise in class with further progress possible. There are no shortage of dangers, though, most notably Big Runnuer, Torosay and Reedley. However what bodes well for Castle Gate is that he has sound hat-trick claims stepping up in class.
RACE 2
BEST BET: LOZLOVIAN
With no form to really go off, the Maiden will make for interesting betting so the market could prove informative and should be monitored for any support. With only seven runners, Luis Medez-trained Hendavid and Reign Of Fire must be considered, but it’s Lozlovian’s workouts have been promising and Doug O’Neill’s charge could be primed to make a winning debut.
RACE 3
BEST BET: MESSAGE
Message didn’t take well to the step-up in class so it has been dropped back down to remain competitive – probably at the main expense Colonial Creed and Streak Of Luck. Given Message has tested at Grade 3 level, one would suggest it should win here.
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RACE 4
BEST BET: TROUVILLE
Another maiden, but a field of 10 makes it interesting. This looks a good opportunity for Trouville to gain reward for a string of fine efforts in defeat and she can put her experience to good use to get the better of Enriched By Deb, who should come on for a decent introduction. Kelani Kim rates best of the rest. But its Trouville for me.
RACE 5 – MONROVIA STAKES (G2)
BEST BET: JOLIE OLIMPICA
The four-year-old Jolie Olumpica wasn’t disgraced last time in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes here over 1m and the drop in trip will definitely suit. Two back it won the Las Cienegas (G3) in her first start to Richard Mandella, and is expected to be the one to beat. Oleksandra cannot be overlooked on her return to action and Stealthediamonds is another expected to go well, having won six of 10 starts since breaking her maiden. Hasn’t been seen since October, winning the Franklin Country (G3) at Keeneland.
RACE 6
BEST BET: RAGTIME BLUES
A select but competitive heat in which there are some very talented three-year-olds going to post. Ragtime Blues won at the second attempt at Oaklawn and could be anything with improvement forthcoming.
RACE 7
BEST BET: SEA OF LIBERTY
Lemon King left a lasting impression on debut when it was last seen in August last year – 277 since it raced, so it will have admirers. Three Ay Em and Afternoon Heat should run their usual honest races but it’s Sea of Liberty who has progressed admirably this year and is the one they all have to beat going in search of a hat-trick of victories for John Sadler.
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RACE 8
BEST BET: FIERCE FOR SUL
This is all about Fierce for Sul, a $650,000 purchase who represents the powerful Bob Baffert barn and has been working very well ahead of her debut. Stable companion Via Angelica cannot be overlooked on her first start either, while Buyer’s Remorse shaped with some promise as a juvenile and River Girl could also go well on her introduction.
RACE 9 – SHOEMAKER MILE (G1)
BEST BET: RIVER BOYNE
This $300,000 Memorial Day matchup for 3 and up on turf is a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and it features a host of Grade 1 winners.
Without Parole struggled over further last time but has every chance on the form of his Breeders’ Cup Mile third, while Raging Bull has been a model of consistency at this level, including when fourth in the Woodbine Mile latest. River Boyne gets the vote after winning a Grade 1 over track and trip in March. War of Will won the 2019 Preakness but hasn’t been seen since finishing ninth in the Breeder’s Cup Classic in November.
RACE 10
BEST BET: CAMINO DE ESTRELLA
Camino De Estrella got within a nose of success at Turf Paradise when last seen and he already has a win at this track to his name, so could be tough to beat. Fire When Ready is worth a second glance after his third in a better race latest, while Wilshire Dude is in the sort of form that could see him go close.
RACE 11 – GAMELY STAKES (G1)
BEST BET: LADY PRANCEALOT
This $300,000 turf race features 3-year-old fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on Monday.
Keeper Ofthe Stars pulled off a big surprise when successful in a Grade 2 here, but is adding distance after three consecutive efforts at the mile. Lady Prancealot was giving her 2lb when fourth in that contest and back off level weights and up to a more suitable trip for the American Oaks winner, Richard Baltas’ filly can strike. Ollie’s Candy has to be considered if she handles the turf as well as she does the main track.
