Below is the late Pick 4 ticket at Santa Anita Park on February 24th, 2018. As always the ticket is $20 or less.
Race 7
Conquest Sabre Cat (#1, 5-1) ran poorly last time out, but that was against tougher at a distance further than his best. He now shortens up to a mile and drops to the lowest class level of his career. Bejarano stays aboard for a gelding that has done his best running over the Santa Anita lawn.
Cardiac (#3, 12-1) makes his second start off a layoff and appears to have a pace advantage in a race without much speed. He will try to wire the field from a cozy inside draw at a nice price.
For Greater Glory (#6, 7-2) comes out of the same race as Conquest Sabre Cat. He beat that rival home that day and should also enjoy shortening up to a mile. He lacks consistency, but his best races are certainly good enough to put him squarely in the mix.
Race 8
Get Yourself Home (#2, 5-2) returns to the dirt and could be tough if she breaks with the field this time. This filly has always worked well and has been heavily backed at the windows. Look for her to put it all together in start number three.
Karmic Affinity (#10, 3-1) ran too good to lose in her first start when battling every step of the way. Even marginal improvement should be enough for her to wire the field second time out.
Race 9
Phantom Proton (#6, 6-1) gets a dream pace scenario to run into in this spot. She is one of only two closers that is in form and she has run well over Santa Anita’a dirt surface.
Life’s Blessings (#7, 8-5) is the other closer with form in this field. She has earned a reputation as a money burner, but this well-bred filly fits well and can’t help but to sit a great trip in here.
Powder (#5, 6-1) may prove to be the best of the speed. She has won three in a row on the dirt and has been working well following a brief freshening for a trainer that does good work off short layoffs.
Race 10
Gliding By (#7, 8-1) made a nice middle move while making her first start in California at a distance beyond her scope. 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill seems to be the ideal distance for this mare, who has worked like she will take a big step forward in her second start for Richard Baltas.
Malibu Stacy (#8, 15-1) is way too big of a price in this race. She has proven to be much more effective running over the turf and should enjoy racing down the hill for the first time. Her turf win at Saratoga and her strong fourth in the Goldikovia Stakes are efforts that would likely win this race.
$0.50 Pick 4 Ticket: 1,3,6 – 2,10 – 5,6,7 – 7,8 = $18
-Padraic Manocchio
@xbtvpadraic
