$400k Beholder Mile

$400,000 Beholder Mile (G1)
Santa Anita Park

Race 9 (Saturday, March 30, 2019: 8:00 p.m./ET; 5:00 p.m./PT)

One mile on the main track (fillies and mares, three-years-old and upward)

The Beholder Mile (G1) is named after one of the most well respected and talented race mares of the 21^st century. Let’s analyze the 2019 field and attempt to pick a winner:

#1 SECRET SPICE makes her graded stakes debut after a third place finish as the favorite behind #6 JUST A SMIDGE on February 7. That was her first start in four months. Before the break, this gal won a first level allowance while earning a high 106 Beyer Speed Figure. If she can run that fast again, she could win this.

#2 SELCOURT stretches out to two turns for the first time after a hard trying second place effort behind #5 MARLEY’S FREEDOM in the Santa Monica (G2) last time out. The aforementioned rival is signed back on in this spot and as the distances get longer, #2 SELCOURT may not necessarily be better. Playing against this time.

#3 PARADISE WOODS finished third behind UNIQUE BELLA in this race last year. Most recently, this filly ran fifth and last behind #5 MARLEY’S FREEDOM, #2 SELCOURT and #7 MOPOTISM in the Santa Monica (G2). The John Sheriffs trainee may be better going a route of ground and she may have needed her last start, but one has to wonder whether her best days are behind her.

#4 EXUBERANCE comes off a six length first level allowance romp over this track on March 1. The second place finisher, DULCE RIDE, came back to run poorly in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields. Even though she doesn’t appear to be as classy as the main contenders in this race, she has won going two turns, which is something the favorites can’t say they have done.

#5 MARLEY’S FREEDOM won the Go For Wand (G3) going this mile distance two starts ago at Aqueduct in December, earning a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. Her lone start since then resulted in a victory against #2 SELCOURT and #7 MOPOTISM in the Santa Monica (G2). This will be her career debut going two turns. If she can handle the two turns, she’ll be tough to beat.

#6 JUST A SMIDGE comes off an allowance win against #1 SECRET SPICE on February 7. Her stablemate, #5 MARLEY’S FREEDOM, seems a lot classier than this gal. The ‘other’ Bob Baffert entrant.

#7 MOPOTISM completed the trifecta in the Santa Monica (G2) last time out and will need to turn the tables on both #5 MARLEY’S FREEDOM and #2 SECLOURT. That said, this filly is three-for-four going this eight-panel distance, with one second place finisher. Contender.

SELECTIONS

1. #5 MARLEY’S FREEDOM – In Baffert we trust.

2. #7 MOPOTISM – Loves this distance.

3. #1 SECRET SPICE – Second start off a layoff.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #4 EXUBERANCE – Last win was a beauty.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll play an exacta box using my top three picks and a straight win bet on my second choice.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$5 Exacta Box: #1 SECRET SPICE and #5 MARLEY’S FREEDOM and #7 MOPOTISM ($30). $20 Win: #7 MOPOTISM