Expert Horse Picks from Santa Anita – 6:05 pm EST Post Time

The feature race on Santa Anita’s card isn’t always the best race on which to wager. Although quite a few “name” horses, like Tres Borrachos and Monzante, are entered in Santa Anita’s 7 th on Thursday, the best race on which to wager is the 5 th.

The interesting thing about the 5 th race at Santa Anita on Thursday is that there are only 6 entrants. Yet out of those 6 entrants, a case can be made for 5 of them to win the race. That means that the race figures to be competitive.

Santa Anita – Race 5 (6:05 pm EST)

Allowance $52,000 n$y

For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward Which Have Never Won $10,000 Other Than Maiden, Claiming, or Starter, or State Bred, or Which Have Never Won Three Races

1 mile turf

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Michael’s Rose – - 9/2 morning line odds

Speed has been doing very well on Santa Anita’s turf course so far this meet. That figures to continue on Thursday when Michael’s Rose should take the lead early in this race and coast to a victory. The Neil Drysdale trained 4 year old filly sired by Rahy has two victories and a second out of three lifetime races at the mile distance. The horse also has a victory and a second out of 2 races on Santa Anita’s turf course. Michael’s Rose hasn’t run since November. That won’t be a problem. A gate to wire victory for Drysdale’s horse is a definite possibility.

Dreamalong – - 3/1 morning line odds

Julio Canani, who is winning at a 29% clip at the current meet, sends out this 4 year old filly. Like Michael’s Rose, Dreamalong was sired by Rahy. Dreamalong should get a nice trip behind Michael’s Rose and if Michael’s Rose isn’t ready to go the distance, then Dreamalong could get to the wire first. Jockey Alex Solis has had success on this filly before and the horse is dropping out of a stakes race.

Hameildaeme – - 2/1 morning line odds

Garrett Gomez takes the call on the morning line chalk that finished 6 th in the Grade I Queen Elizabeth Stakes in its last. Hameildaeme finished 3 rd in a Grade II at Del Mar in August and figures to be the horse that class bettors jump on in this race. There are some things to consider, though, like the face that Hameildaeme has won only 2 out of 15 lifetime races and has lost by a total of 11 and ¾ lengths in its last two races. The four year old appears to be classy but is that due to the company that the horse has been keeping or actual class? Tough call.

Wagering Strategy

Michael’s Rose figures to be tough to run down in this. I will bet the Drysdale filly to win and place. Both Dreamalong and Hameildaeme have a good shot to finish either 2 nd or 3 rd. I won’t split hairs. Instead, I will put all three horses into an exacta box.