Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Picks for Friday 6/19/20
With most of the sports world on pause, it's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 4:00 p.m. EST, we have nine races at Santa Anita Park. Using our numberFire projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, keep an eye out for scratches and changes.
(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)
No Slo Mo, Race 3
FD Odds: 8/1
It's closing weekend at The Great Race Place, and Race 3 is at 5:00 p.m. EST. This Maiden Special Weight drew nine runners on the turf and is going one mile. No Slo Mo (8/1), by strong sire Uncle Mo, has a solid shot in here at a good price. No Slo Mo finished fifth last month in his career debut, posting a solid 86 speed figure. In finding value, we note comments from Top Race Reports that this horse came from way back and was digging in gamely down the lane, coming home in 24.2 seconds and galloping out full of vigor. Expect a strong effort against a modest group.
Much More Halo (7/2) is the top pick of numberFire followed by the favorite Tiberius Mercurius (5/2), a high-figure New York shipper who has three runner-up finishes in seven starts and makes his 2020 debut out West sporting three straight speed figures in the 90s to close his 2019 campaign. Much More Halo strings races together for trainer Bob Baffert, who stretches him out out with Mike Smith riding. Improvement expected for this son of More Than Ready.
Still in the Game (4/1) went to the lead and ran well a month ago at this level and finished second at 20/1 odds. Fire Polish (20/1) gets Lasix and blinkers after bleeding last time out
Joey’s Ace and Most Sadisfactory, Race 5
FD Odds: 12/1 and 4/1
Race 5 is the start of the Late Pick 5, and we’ll look to score with a horse that Top Race Reports says should outrun his price. Joey’s Ace (12/1) has not hit the board in four starts and made his 2020 debut a month ago. That was the same race Much More Halo, noted above in Race 3, ran well against better. Another horse in that race finished last and came back to win at 40/1 odds. That’s what makes horse racing so unpredictable, but it's also why identifying value and opportunity can lead to rewards. Joey’s Aces adds blinkers, stretches out for trainer Mark Glatt and should press the pace breaking from the outside No. 10 post. Our model at numberFire has Joey’s Ace as the top pick.
Most Sadisfactory (4/1) is included for EPO trainer Peter Miller, who fed him well for his 2020 debut a month ago, when he just missed as the favorite. Most Sadisfactory is now stretching out for this one-mile race and is ready to kick in and find his first win following three runner-up finishes in four starts. .
Negotiator (20/1) came home well in his last race and can improve at a big price. Fengari (5/2) and Sly (3/1) are the favorites we’ll try to beat, and those two are given a 29% and 25% chance, respectively, to win by the odds at FanDuel Racing.
Donut Girl, Race 7
FD Odds: 15/1
Race 7 is a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for state bred fillies and mares. We shoot for another price with Donut Girl (15/1), who was reclaimed by trainer Brian Cunningham after losing her two races back. Donut Girl is the best closer in this field, and she was squeezed -- and stumbled -- at the start of her last race a month ago to cost her any chance sprinting. Donut Girl has had two excellent workouts since and is moved back to the turf for a potential surprise at a value price.
Smiling Annie (3/1) is the top pick at numberFire, and she should hook-up in a speed duel with Speed Gigi (12/1). But the pace will likely collapse, setting up a late-running closer to come through.
Harper’s Gallop (5/2) is the favorite and the top pick at Daily Horse Picks. She cuts back after a stamina-building winning effort on the front end last month. Noor Khan (4/1) is off a Maiden win and now facing winners for the first time for EPO trainer Philip D’Amato.
