HORSE RACING

​Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Picks for Friday 2/12/21

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 check 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.)

Dancing Dana and Commas Saves Lives, Race 3

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 15/1

Race 3 is a Starter Optional Claiming race for three-year-old fillies, and it's going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The favorite Disko Fever (9/5) will take money for EPO trainer Richard Baltas, whose win rate at the current meet is less than 10% in nearly 70 starts. She ran very well when switching to turf and winning last month in her second start.

The projected winner according to numberFire’s algorithm is Dancing Dana (6/1). Top Race Reports also likes her chances, and she’s hit the board in 4-of-5 starts. She’s been running well but not switching leads. The change to turf and stronger jockey Abel Cedillo are positives.

Commas Save Lives (15/1) is interesting at a price. She faces open company, but six of the runners in this 10-horse field are Cal-breds, per West Coast Handicapping Report. A good break and a ground-saving trip along the rail could have her in the mix when they make a move for home.

American Theorem, Race 4

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5

Race 4 is an Allowance race for older horses racing 7 furlongs. We have shorter field, and favorite American Theorem (9/5) is the best horse, one spotted well off an 11-month layoff and has good works in place. A winning ride by leading jockey Flavien Prat is expected. The preferred picks by numberFire’s data are Rayray (4/1) and Wrecking Crew (5/2), the latter is also off a long layoff with a jockey change to be announced as Umberto Rispoli is suspended. Exaulted (3/1) has ability and three straight 90s speed figures, which led to in-the-money finishes in all three starts.

Betito, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1

Race 6 is a Maiden Claimer for older horses sprinting 6 furlongs. The top pick of numberFire's model is Fun Coupons (7/2) followed by the favorite, Crankin (5/2). This is a much weaker group than the $20K claiming tag, and Betito (4/1) has a solid shot to get to the lead with strong gate rider Abel Cedillo. He’s 0-for-4 and off a five-month layoff but has solid drills in place on his work tab, including a bullet last week. Top Race Reports' handicapping lessons point to going with the horse on the lead at the quarter pole in a weaker field, as that horse often holds off the others who are not capable of making up ground in the lane.