How to bet the Pasadena Stakes

An interesting field of eight sophomores will travel one mile on the Santa Anita green in Sunday’s $100,000 Pasadena S. The Jonathan Thomas-trained #7 Will Then has come a long way in a short period of time and exits a clear victory in the Jimmy Durante S. (G3) at Del Mar in November. By War of Will, the bay filly is aggressively placed to challenge the boys in this affair, and I love the sign of confidence from her connections. She has a big turn of foot combined with a hint of positional speed, and the filly has been training well as of late, too. The Augustin homebred will be moving into striking range at the top of the lane, with Umberto Rispoli accepting the mount. 

Pasadena Wagers

• $10 exacta 7 with 3,6,8 ($30)
• $3 trifecta key 7 with 3,6,8 ($12)
• $1 trifecta 3,7 with 3,6,7,8 with 3,6,7,8 ($12)

I love how #3 Friendly Confines improved in his second lifetime showing and will give the Richard Baltas pupil a big chance in his first stakes appearance. The son of top turf influence Twirling Candy was fast early and solid late in a sprint maiden win on the course, and he gives me the impression of a youngster who will be able to negotiate the one-mile distance going forward, as well. The $82,000 yearling purchase will likely move forward while making his second run since the summer and will retain the services of Tiago Pereira. 

#6 Rank is a flier, but the Doug O’Neill trainee has been facing excellent runners on the dirt since his unveiling and might take to the surface change today. The dark bay son of Honor A. P. has four turf-winning siblings, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Kentucky-bred rallies for a minor award in a field with a lot of pace. Kyle Frey will be in the stirrups atop the maiden. 

Bob Baffert’s #8 Tiz Secure is an intriguing contender in the cast. The second timer was a fine debut winner on the dirt when earning a strong 97 Brisnet Speed figure, and he now lands in this spot with a surface and equipment change, as the blinkers will be off for this event. This son of Maximum Security doesn’t have a turf pedigree, nor have any of his siblings won on the lawn, but I still have to include the colt in the exotics in case he thrives on the green. Juan Hernandez rides.