$400k Frank E. Kilroe Mil

$400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1)
Santa Anita Park

Race 5 (Saturday, March 30, 2019: 6:00 p.m./ET; 3:00 p.m./PT)

One mile on the turf (four-year-olds and upward)

Santa Anita runs a quartet of stakes races on their Saturday card. One of two Grade I’s on the card, the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1), has been won by some of the top North American turf milers in past years. We’ll begin our analysis with the equine who drew the inside post position. 

#1 HUNT (IRE) makes his second start off a layoff after a 10 length loss sprinting down the hillside grass course on January 27. This guy is a router, so you can be a bit forgiving of his last run. His last win came four starts ago in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) last May and his trainer, Phil D’Amato, wins at 15% with runners making their second start off a layoff over 180 days. Brice Blanc rides for the first time.

#2 OHIO (BRZ) finished a game second in the Thunder Road (G3) last time out and makes his Grade I debut in this spot. The Michael McCarthy trainee has yet to win a graded stake. Exotics contender may be his ceiling.

#3 DESERT STONE (IRE) suffered a traffic filled trip when finishing a head behind #6 RIVER BOYNE in the Mathis Brothers Mile (G2) against straight three-year-olds. In his first start against older horses on February 9, this Richard Baltas trainee ran fifth of sixth and regressed significantly. Will play against on the win end.

#4 CATAPULT freshens up after a fourth place finish in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) behind next out winner BRICKS AND MORTAR. This horse may have been compromised by a premature move down the backstretch as he was in contention for the win until midstretch before fading late. The John Sadler trainee finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) two starts ago and won the Eddie Read (G2) and Del Mar Mile (G2) last summer. The one to beat.

#5 NEXT SHARES was a no-show in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) but has run well in previous starts. Two starts back, he won the San Gabriel (G2) over this turf course, and he pulled off a 23/1 upset in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeenland in the Fall. His best race is good enough to be a major factor.

#6 RIVER BOYNE (IRE) is a consistent colt that was a dominant player in the three-year-old turf division last year. In his first start against older horses, he went off at 3/5 odds in the Thunder Road (G3) and wound up fourth in the field of six. That said, he was trying to mount a bid at the furlong marker and had to slam on the breaks when in tight. He is six-for-seven on this Santa Anita turf course. Wouldn’t discount.

SELECTIONS

1. #4 CATAPULT – Class of the field.

2. #6 RIVER BOYNE – Horse for course.

3. #5 NEXT SHARES – Grade I winner.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #1 HUNT – Second start off the layoff.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll box my top two picks in an exacta.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget) $25 Exacta Box: #4 CATAPULT and #6 RIVER BOYNE ($50)