All-Stakes Pick 3 for Santa Anita on Jan. 13

A total of five black-type events will be hosted by Santa Anita on Saturday. I’ll take aim at the final three races on the fine card, with each of the tilts being stakes contests. 

All-Stakes Pick 3

$2 Pick 3: 1,2,6,8 with 2 with 3,5,7,9 ($32)

Race 7 – Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint

A very good cast of eight will go postward in the 6 1/2-furlong dash down the hill. I feel that any one of a quartet of entrants can win the race, and I will spread in the opening leg of the wager. #1 Madiha, Steve Miyadi’s #2 Rose Maddox, sharp allowance heroine #6 Stay and Scam, and the speedy #8 Chancery Way will all make the cut to get things started. 

Race 8 – California Cup Sprint

The six-furlong dash on the dirt attracted just five, led by Grade 1 victor #2 The Chosen Vron for conditioner Eric Kruljac. By Vronsky, the fantastic California-bred has come out on top in nine of his last 10 races leading up to Saturday, and the classy chestnut also dons a fine 7-for-9 on the Santa Anita surface, as well. The gelding has been a dominant figure when racing against his fellow Golden State-bred contenders, and while he’s not a sexy single, The Chosen Vron is simply a cut above his foes and will be impossible to beat with something close to his best effort. Regular pilot Hector Berrios will be in the silks.

Race 9 – Unusual Heat Turf Classic

#9 Catalina Eddy gets the upset nod in the well-matched finale that will be contested at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Trained by Craig Lewis, the four-year-old colt was a fine winner in his lone route run on the green and could offer a lot of value in the lawn tilt. The Square Eddie colt has good early speed and will be prominent from the opening bell under Kazushi Kimura.

The 2022 Heat Turf Classic winner #7 Aligato, who was second in the race last season, John Sadler’s classy #5 Kings River Knight, as well as #3 Bally’s Charm, will also be included in the final leg of the play.