$600k Santa Anita Handicap

$600,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1)
Santa Anita Park

Race 10 (Saturday, April 6, 2019: 7:30 p.m./ET; 4:30 p.m./PT)

Mile and a quarter on the main track (four-year-olds and upward)

First run in 1934, the ‘Big Cap, as it is affectionately referred to by locals, has been won by some of racing’s biggest superstars, including SEABISCUIT (1940), ROUND TABLE (1958), SPECTACULAR BID (1980), JOHN HENRY (1981) and TIZNOW (2001).  And while new races like the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1) have stolen some of its luster, 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner ACCELERATE won this race last year. Let’s take a closer look at this year’s field:

#1 MCKINZIE is a super talented millionaire earner who has never finished worse than second in five starts over the Santa Anita dirt. This Bob Baffert trainee won the Malibu (G1) going seven furlongs two starts ago before finishing second to 2017 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner BATTLE OF MIDWAY in his most recent appearance on February 2. May not be at his very best going a mile-and-a-quarter but he’s got plenty of class.

#2 MONGOLIAN GROOM defeated next out allowance winner SOLOMINI in a allowance race on February 1. May be a couple notches below the best signed on and an exotics placing may be his ceiling.

#3 PRIME ATTRACTION hasn’t been seen since a fourth place effort behind LEOFRIC, BRAVAZO and SEEKING THE SOUL in the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs last November. He finished behind Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner ACCELERATE in multiple starts last year, meaning his best run is probably good enough to be competitive in this race. That said, trainer James Cassidy wins at just 3% with runners making their first start off a layoff between 61-180 days.

#4 GIFT BOX is one of two runners entered from the John Sadler barn. Grey colt by TWIRLING CANDY was privately acquired by Sadler and his main owner, Hronis Racing, last year and made his first start for the new connections in the San Antonio (G2) on December 26, and won the race in game style, defeating next out Grade 2 winner BATTLE OF MIDWAY. That day, he was coming off a nine-month vacation. He hasn’t raced since then, but clearly this guy runs well fresh and we know he’ll be fully cranked for his return to the races. Big chance.

#5 PRINCE ARABIA has been badly beaten in his last four efforts against graded stakes company. His most recent win came five starts ago against second level allowance company. Will be a longshot.

#6 CAMPAIGN is the second Sadler trainee. He also made his first start for Team Sadler in his last start, a second level allowance race on the dirt in which he flew home and defeated next out allowance winner NERO in the shadow of the wire. The well-bred son of CURLIN ran on like a horse who would love racing farther. Not going to discount.

SELECTIONS

1. #4 GIFT BOX – Runs well fresh.

2. #1 MCKINZIE – Classy dude.

3. #3 PRIME ATTRACTION – Some better than looked efforts last year.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #6 CAMPAIGN – Should like the distance.

WAGERING STRATEGY I’ll make a straight win bet on my top choice.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$50 Win: #4 GIFT BOX