Below is the Pick 5 ticket for June 16th at Santa Anita Park. As always, the ticket is $20 or less.
Race 1:
Ocean Dream (#7, 4-1) California Chrome’s full sister, R Sunday Surprise, will take plenty of money in this race, but Ocean Dream has the proven form and is the horse to beat in here. She faced males in her debut when breaking from the rail and showed early interest before dropping back to the rear of the field. She re-rallied impressively on the inside and just missed finishing second. The daughter of Square Eddie adds blinkers, draws outside and gets an extra half furlong to work with today. Two year-old fillies simply do not close the way she did in her debut. She looks plenty live as a single in race 1.
Race 2:
Little Curlin (#3, 3-1) Jerry Hollendorfer had the only two horses with early speed in this race before scratching Anythingscookin. Now Little Curlin appears the be the only speed in a paceless race. He is better than ever and will get first jump on this classy bunch.
Finnegans Wake (#2, 5-2) is the class of the field and gets the services of the red-hot Flavien Prat. The Grade 1 winner is the horse to beat, but it appears that he has lost a step and faces a tough pace scenario.
Texas Ryano (#5, 4-1) returns off a layoff and is also a deep closer. He seems to run better fresh and has been working well for his comeback. With two wins at the distance, he should definitely be included on Pick 5 tickets.
Life’s Journey (#4, 4-1) closed with a rush to just miss defeating the streaking Hobbit’s Hero last time out. He has strong current form and has just enough tactical speed to be sitting second early on in this race. His 2 for 23 record does not inspire much confidence however.
Race 3:
Dixie Chick Rocks (#6, 4-1) has been working very well for her debut and it is a positive sign to see Talamo, who is 38% when he rides for Dan Hendricks, aboard.
Radish (#1, 4-1) has a tricky draw from the rail, but is bred to win early. Her sire Square Eddie is 10 for 46 first time out with juveniles and her full sister, Sprouts, won three times as a two-year-old.
My California (#7, 9-5) ran very well first time out, but she did hang in that race, which makes her a vulnerable favorite in here. She is a must use, but far from a cinch.
Race 4:
Tribal Tribute (#6, 9-5) takes a drop in class for Phil D’Amato and looks tough in this spot after running a good 4th in a 2x allowance last time.
County Lineman (#2, 6-1) ran well in his first start in blinkers last time and should be pressing a slow pace on the stretch out second off a layoff.
Yes Yes Yes (#7, 4-1) tries hard every time and the presence of Bejarano is noted. He ran in a live race last time out that featured the big class dropper Hay Dude. He catches an easier group today and could win if he comes up with one of his better efforts.
Race 5:
Dis Smart Cat (#4, 9-5) has been ultra impressive in her first two starts and catches a field that possess limited upside. This will be her first route attempt, but if Matthew Chew’s filly handles the distance, she should be long gone.
Pick 5 Ticket: 7 / 2,3,4,5 / 1,6,7 / 2,6,7 / 4 = $18
-Padraic Manocchio
