Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Picks for Friday 1/15/21
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 3:30 p.m. EST, we have 8 races at Santa Anita Park. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and follow the weather and track conditions.
(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.)
Signofthecross and Sky Confidential, Race 2
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 15/1
Race 1 is a Claiming race for older horses going 1 mile. The top pick according to numberFire’s algorithm is Polar Wind (4/1) followed by Signofthecross (3/1). Guaranteed Tip Sheet picks favorite Alvaaro (2/1) with the meet's top jockey, Juan Hernandez, seeking his 18th win.
Alvaaro moves up following a decisive win a month ago after he was claimed the previous race by trainer Ryan Hanson. Horse Racing Radar notes Alvaaro has posted fives straight speed figures in the 90s.
Polar Wind has been an underachiever, losing three of his last four starts as the favorite. Horse Racing Radar adds that his closing style fits well in the projected pace scenario with speed figures that are best with Alvaaro at this level. The son of Super Saver broke his maiden over this course last May.
Signofthecross has won two of his last four starts and keeps improving with a pair of 90-plus speed figures over his last two starts. He’s freshened since November and should be running well late with leading jockey Flavien Prat riding for fellow Frenchman trainer Leonard Powell.
Sky Confidential (15/1) is a worthwhile longshot, according to Top Race Reports. His past performance charts show little with zero in-the-money finishes in his last eight outings. However, he flashed speed in his last race and ran on the lead through 6 furlongs before fading -- still posting a 91 speed figure.
Concert Tour, Race 4
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/5
It's supposed to be in the 80s at The Great Race Place. Race 4 is a Maiden Special Weight for three-year-olds, and it's sprinting 6 furlongs. We have a small field of six, and it's dominated by two horses trained by Bob Baffert -- Hozier (6/5) with leading jockey Flavien Prat and Concert Tour (7/5) with strong stretch rider Joel Rosario. Both are first-time starters and working well.
Those are the top two picks by numberFire’s projections. Hozier is a first runner produced by multiple graded stakes-winning sprinter Merry Meadow. Concert Tour is sired by Street Sense, out of a Tapit mare with a pair of bullet 6-furlong workouts in place.
Musawaat, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1
Race 7 is an Allowance race for six older horses going 1 mile on the turf. Classy 10-year-old Ohio (5/2) makes his first start since March and won a Grade 1 race at age 8. You should include in the Exacta as Ohio is projected to challenge numberFire's top choice, Sombeyay (9/5), for the win.
Sombeyay is the one to catch as he stretches out for EPO trainer Peter Miller. But Musawaat (4/1) is more than capable of doing so, according to Top Race Reports, if allowed to run from the gate by top turf rider Jose Valdivia, Jr. He’s most comfortable and has done his best running near the leaders, saving ground into the first turn and breaking from the rail. Top Race Reports notes that trainer Mike Puype continues to send out strong efforts.
