Santa Anita Race 1 - Post: 12:00 PT
2-Worse Read Sanchez (9/5)
With the classic two-sprints-and-a-stretch out pattern, this Doug O’Neill-trained 3-year-old gets ideal conditions to earn his maiden diploma in this mile turf event for 3-year-olds. The son of Square Eddie ran better than the line will show when overcoming early trouble to rally widest of all entering the lane and then keeping to his task late to wind up a closing fourth on New Year’s Day. He adds blinkers, is comfortably drawn inside, and really doesn’t have all that much to beat in this event restricted to Cal-bred runners.
Santa Anita Race 7: Post: 3:05 PT
2-Scary Fast Smile (7/2)
Below form in his last four starts but continuing to train well, the M. Glatt-trained gelding has never been off third board in six career starts over the local main track, and a recent bullet :59 flat five furlong drill indicates he’s ready to perform up to standard. Regular pilot T. Baze stays aboard, knows him well, and should have this hard-hitting sprinter on or near what projects to be a moderate early pace. He’s worth a gamble at or near his morning line of 7/2.