HORSE RACING

​Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Picks for Friday 5/14/21

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 eight 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 monitor 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.)

Exultation, Race 3

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/5

Race 3 is an Allowance race for older horses at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The numberFire data projects a tight race with One Flew South to edge Exultation (8/5).

One Flew South finished fourth last race just two weeks ago, but that was on dirt, and he returns to the grass where he won here in January and finished second in March while posting triple-digit speed figures in both races.

But Exultation returns off a March win as the favorite, and leading turf jockey Unberto Rispoli rides again for trainer Peter Eurton. That jockey/trainer combo has won 6-of-10 starts as race favorites over the past 15 months.

Feeling Grazeful, Race 4

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/5

Race 4 is a Maiden Special Weight for state bred fillies and mares sprinting 6 furlongs. The numberFire algorithm projects the winner to be OMG It’s Jessica (8/5), who is also a best bet of Guaranteed Tip Sheet. OMG’s stamina is suspect, but her speed will have her forwardly placed and she finished in-the-money in all three dirt starts.

But in this modest field, first time runner Feeling Grazeful (6/5) is the one to beat with quick works for trainer Bill Spawr. The galloping grey has pedigree and speed on her dam side and will push the pace up front as the most bet favorite.

Found My Ball and Cargo, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 4/1

Race 7 is the featured Allowance race for state bred 3-year-olds going 1-mile on the turf. Rispoli rides Big Talker (3/1) as one of the favorites along with numberFire’s top pick, Found My Ball (5/2) on the rail.

Guaranteed Tip Sheet also sides with Found My Ball as a best bet, and he returns to the turf having just missed in a sprint two races back as the heavy favorite. He stretches out but has the pedigree to support to move to a mile.

Big Talker prefers a longer distance, and he’ll try to close into the speed in this race in his first start in 2 1/2 months. EPO trained Phil D’Amato runner Cargo (4/1) won two races back in a Cal-bred turf mile.