Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 5/2/21
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 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).
Lalic and Magical Gray, Race 3
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 6/1
The day begins in Race 1 with a Starter Allowance for older fillies and mares going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. numberFire's data projects Trouville (3/1) to win, and Magical Gray (6/1) and Freedom Lass (7/2) to hit the board. Trouville is by Will Take Charge, and she has a pair of runner-up finishes this year, including a career-best 95 speed figure last race. But Magical Gray has some value as an upset candidate who is dropping in class following a close fifth-place finish when she pressed the pace.
Lalic (5/2) broke her maiden in her second start in March. She came from off the pace and showed good tactical speed to win going away with a strong gallop out after the 6-furlong finish. Another move forward can be expected.
Whatmakessammyrun, Race 5
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2
Race 5 is a high-end Allowance Race for three-year-olds sprinting 6 furlongs on the turf. The numberFire algorithm likes Hot Box (5/1) to win over Whatmakessammyrun (5/2) and favorite Team Merchants (2/1). Hot Box won his last race with his best speed figure (87) in seven starts.
Whatmakessammyrun makes his California debut for new trainer Mark Glatt. He cuts back to one turn after an out-of-the-money finish last time out, but his best race came on turf last fall. Team Merchants makes his 2021 debut and showed his ability last fall when crushing a good field of maidens at Saratoga.
Laura’s Light and She’s Our Charm, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 7/2
Race 7 is the featured Allowance race for older fillies and mares going 1 mile on the turf. numberFire projects favorite Laura’s Light (9/5) to break through in her third start this year for EPO trainer Peter Miller. She led into the deep stretch in her Allowance comeback before finishing fourth as the favorite. She’s versatile and has won 5-of-10 starts, including a pair of graded stakes last summer.
Rocking Redhead (5/2) is cutting back in distance and can challenge up front along with She’s Our Charm (7/2), who is a full sister to 2021 Kentucky Derby runner Rock Your World. She’s run in tougher stakes and posted five straight triple-digit speed figures. This should be a good spot and distance off nearly a three-month layoff.
