Santa Anita Park Saturday Picks & Plays March 28, 2015

Santa Anita Park Saturday Picks & Plays March 28, 2015: This week, all eyes go to Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds with the Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park Oaks, Louisiana Derby, and Fair Grounds Oaks, but Santa Anita Park is always a great place to make some bets and have fun. We’re analyzing the last four races of the Santa Anita card set for Saturday, March 28, 2015. Last week, we hit three out of four races, and we intend to continue fine-tuning our recommendations.

Race #6: 11,10,7
Venetian Mask looked impressive when he broke his maiden in a seven-furlong race at Parx Racing on May, 6, 2014, but he failed badly when he stretched out to a mile in his next start at Belmont Park. Nine months later, he returned in a sprint race prepared by plenty of nice workouts. In addition, the Bejarano/Hollendorfer combo has been hot lately, so this horse should be ready to roll. Although the Brazilian-bred Bam Bam is re-turning from a six-month layoff, his career in Brazil was very consistent with 1 win and 3 second-place finishes in 4 starts. His last race ended with a second in the Ipiranga (GI) over a mile on the turf in Cidade Jardim. It’s important to highlight that his only victory was on the dirt in a 6-½ furlong race. Bam Bam will probably need more ground in the United States, but he has the class to beat this field. Frensham did it all too easily in his last race, winning by three lengths and recording a good time of 1:08.4 for 6 furlongs. If he reproduces that effort, he’ll surely be in the mix.

Race #7: 4,5,2,8
March Madness Starter Handicap 3:30 PM PT
Handfull is coming from Golden Gate to try to continue her winning streak. This mare will be sent to the lead at the start to play “catch me if you can.” With an inferior trip last time out, Love Blind was able to finish second by half a length to Soresca, who is running in this race as well. This mare just needs a normal trip to win this race. Jade With Envy is returning to this route distance where she feel more comfortable. She has been recording good workouts, so she should be fit for this race. Grandiose Tactics can run over every surface, so the change to turf is not a concern. She’s dropping in class, and Tyler Baze remains with the mount.

Race #8: 4
Tokyo City Cup Stakes 4:00 PM PT
Finally, Bronzo has found the right spot in a Grade III race over 1-½ miles. Usually the Chilean horses have the stamina to run all day, and Bronzo is no exception. This horse only needs to run evenly to easily win this race. Now with Gary Stevens in the saddle, I’m using Bronzo as the single of the day. Side Note: Visit SantaAnita.com to learn more about Japan Family Day on Saturday, March 28, 2015.

Race #9: 2,7
4:30 PM PT
Nakamoto is the most consistent horse of the field and the likely winner of this race. He has also been facing tougher competition, so he will probably be the heavy favorite. I’m trying to beat him with Action Hero, a horse who is trying grass, a surface he should love, for the first time. He has decent speed figures on the dirt, and he’s eligible to improve upon those efforts with the aforementioned switch. In addition, he should appreciate the stretch out to a mile.

Plays:
Race #6:
Exacta box: 11,10,7

Pick 3
7) 4,5,2,8
8) 4
9) 2,7
I’m also playing Bronzo to win.