Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 4/17/22
Starting at 4:00 p.m. EST, we have 10 races at Santa Anita. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets on FanDuel Racing.
As always, check the program for racing information and scratches and changes. Also, watch 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).
Worse Read Sanchez and Bally’s Charm, Race 3
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 4/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel
Race 3 is an Allowance race for state bred 3-year-olds going 1 mile on the turf. The top picks according to numberFire’s data is Fowler Blue (6/1) to outkick the favorite Worse Read Sanchez (5/2) and Bally’s Charm (4/1).
Fowler Blue has been facing better class company, and just finished fourth on dirt in a Grade 3 race at Sunland Park. He did win at Santa Anita on New Year’s Eve, but his ability to finish on the turf is still in question.
Worse Read Sanchez just missed by a nose against older horses three races back, and was no match in the KY Derby Prep San Felipe. Then in his race three weeks ago, he ran better than his fifth place finish while producing his best speed figure (93) against stronger Allowance competition.
Jockey Jessica Pyfer rides pace presser or front runner Bally’s Charm in a race that has a number of similar style runners. He’s improved each start through fall and winner, and does fit class wise.
Scary Fast Smile and Gerlach’s, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 3/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel
Race 8 is an Allowance Race for state-breds going 7 furlongs. The numberFire data projects Scary Fast Smile (5/2) to outkick Gerlach’s (3/1) with Raging Waters (6/1) hitting the board.
Scary Fast Smile is the only one of nine runners racing for the optional $20k claiming tag. He misfired last race, but his dominant win against Cal-breds his previous race would be good enough to beat this group.
Gerlach’s has won 3 of his last 5 starts after his dominating sprint win last race and was claimed for new trainer Robert Hess, Jr.
Raging Waters moves out another 1 ½ lengths after just missing in a short Cal-bred sprint.
Current Mood and Roubaix, Race 9
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 4/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel
Race 9 is a Maiden Special Weight for state-bred fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs on the turf. The numberFire projected order of finish is the favorite Busker Allie (3/1) winning in front of longshot It’s Greek to Me (15/1) and Roubaix (4/1).
Busker Allie moves from route to sprint after showing some good speed turning for home and down the lane last race before fading to finish third.
Roubaix is winless in eights starts, but had her best finish last month when finishing a distant second. Still, her 80 speed figure was better than Busker Allie has produced in six starts.
Current Mood (4/1) ran better than her fourth place finish in her debut. She was blocked on the turn, ran greenly down the lane, but has more speed than shown and should run back better second time out.
