California-breds take center stage Saturday as racing is expected to return to Santa Anita with air quality conditions forecasted to improve. I’m taking a look at the late pick four there, where the sequence includes three stakes and offers strong field sizes throughout.
Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.
Race 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 8 Our Bucky Charm; 7 Windribbon
Backups: 4 Lonesome Slew
Forecast: A state-bred first level allowance event for 4YOs+ going 6-furlongs kicks the sequence off where it is difficult to envision anything but a fast pace. That could make things challenging for #8 Our Bucky Charm. The 6YO gelding took a long time to get to the races, but has done nothing wrong through two starts. Trainer Mike Puype had him ready at first asking and is capable off of the long break, so if this son of Munnings can avoid getting caught up in a potential early tussle, he will be tough to beat. However, if jockey Juan Hernandez is unable to relax the undefeated runner off the layoff, #7 Windribbon is the likeliest to take advantage. The 9-time winner has struggled to break through at this level, but got a confidence booster at Los Alamitos to end 2024. The fact Flavien Prat jumps aboard is obviously noteworthy. Hopefully, the best rider in the game can sit mid-pack early to avoid an early battle.
#4 Lonesome Slew is tough to completely overlook coming in off a pair of impressive victories at Del Mar for trainer Mark Glatt. The son of Grazen has run some of the fastest recent races of those entered in this spot, but will have to earn this one with speeds drawn to both sides.
Race 9: Unusual Heat Turf Classic
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 2 On the Whim; 10 Old Pa
Backups: 11 Aligato
Forecast: #2 On the Whim did not run well as the 2-1-favorite against open company allowance foes last out at Del Mar in his first start off a 6-week freshening, but should bounce back in the Turf Classic for trainer Dean Pederson. Pederson has won with his first three starters of the meet and this son of Acclamation has been at his best at “The Great Race Place” evidenced by his 3 for 5-record over the course. The inside draw should allow jockey Tiago Pereira to sit a perfect pocket trip in this 9-furlong test over the sod.
If the race dynamics force On the Whim to move early, #10 Old Pal is the one I like best from well off the pace. The Mark Glatt trainee also moves back into the state-bred ranks after a pair of underneath finishes against high-level allowance company at Del Mar. He too has thrived over this course. Glatt also sends out #11 Aligato. The Kitten’s Joy gelding faces a tall task of winning in his first start since last April, but has earned all three of his career wins at Santa Anita Park and attracts Flavien Prat.
Race 10: California Chrome Cal Cup Derby
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 3 Shea Brennan; 7 Whiskyginandbrandy
Backups: None
Forecast: The pace is likely to be on in this year’s Cal Cup Derby, which on paper bodes very well for #4 R Heisman. The Far From Over gelding has hit the board in both starts over this course and got caught in a tight spot midway through the King Glorious at Los Alamitos last month. The addition of Flavien Prat perhaps helps the cause, but I do not trust this Peter Miller trainee going two turns at a short price.
I prefer #3 Shea Brennan. The Nick Alexander homebred showed a lot of grit holding off a host of rivals in the aforementioned King Glorious. He won that race battling early, but I am hopeful Antonio Fresu can relax him just off the pace after gaining invaluable experience at a route of ground to end his 2YO season. I will also include #7 Whiskyginandbrandy. The Stay Thirsty colt has been a better racehorse since trainer Steve Knapp added blinkers last October. He is another that should appreciate a fast early pace.
Race 11: Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 10 Grateful My Love; 12 Take Another Card
Backups: 1 Tequilaandtherapy
Forecast: This 8-furlong test over the sod for 3YO fillies closes the sequence. I am going to ride the hot hand of trainer Michael McCarthy. “Whitey” has won 6 of 20 over the last two weeks for an ROI of $3.36 and legs up Flavien Prat on this maiden taking on winners in her first effort over the grass. She is a half-sister to 5-time turf winner Ippodamia’s Girl making the surface switch from a pedigree perspective appealing. Hopefully, Prat can overcome the outside draw. The same is true for #12 Take Another Card who drew way outside in this field of 12. The Reddam Racing runner was impressive overcoming a poor start to prove much the best in a 6-furlong dash to kick off her career. The talent is obvious, but Frankie Dettori will need to work some magic to avoid getting caught wide much of the way.
If my top two choices are unable to overcome their draw, #1 Tequilaandtherapy makes some sense. Her upside is not as high as Grateful My Love and Take Another Card, but she draws much more favorably and will get the jump on them under jockey Edwin Maldonado.
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