They are back at it later this afternoon at Santa Anita Park for a 9-race card that kicks off at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT. The card is headlined by the San Simeon (G3) down the Hillside Turf course, as well as a $11,950 carryover in the Sunset Six. Remember, the Sunset Six is a retail only wager with a $1 minimum, 15% takeout, and features the last three races at both Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita. Here are a few horses I like most today at the Great Race Place.
Race 1:
The opener is an optional claimer at 6-furlongs over the grass where I like the chances of #1 Wildfire Princess quite a bit. The daughter of First Samurai draws the inside in her third start of the form cycle for Bob Hess Jr. after losing a tough one by head on February 8. The fact she attracts the services of Emisael Jaramillo adds to my confidence that she is going to be ridden aggressively in the early stages. Unlike her start last month though, she is likely to find herself loose on the lead on the slight cutback to 6 panels. Gate-to-wire to kick off the Saturday afternoon slate in Arcadia.
Play: Wildfire Princess (3-1 ML)
Race 3: San Simeon (G3)
The aforementioned feature drew a compact field of 6 where I am going to roll with one of the horses turning back to a sprint #3 Genius Jimmy. The son of Jimmy Creed has never competed down the hill, but finds a great spot to give it a go. Trainer Michael McCarthy continues to have a strong start to the year in Southern California and retains the services of Juan Hernandez. I am expecting #2 Quereme Pass to go to the lead with the hopes Genius Jimmy can relax just off the early pace. If so, I like his chances of sealing the deal this time after giving it up late going a lot further last month.
Play: #3 Genius Jimmy (3-1 ML)
Race 8
My final Saturday afternoon spot play comes in this first-level allowance at 6.5-furlongs over the main track where #1 Artisma looks tough to beat. The Munnings filly made her first start as a 4YO last month during a major cold spell for trainer Richard Baltas. Baltas has picked things up a bit of late and this filly should get a much more favorable trip from her inside draw after being caught four-wide on the backstretch in her 2026 debut. She has lacked a will to win thus far in her career, but is in the right spot this afternoon. I will single her in the Sunset Six carryover, as well as any late horizontals I choose to play at Santa Anita.
Play: #1 Artisma (2-1 ML)
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