Sunday is Closing Day at Santa Anita Park and that means mandatory payouts in all pools.

The Pick 6 will get the most attention by far given the three-day $821,858 carryover, but the early Pick 5 is always an attractive option with the low 14% takeout rate.

With horizontal wagering opportunities throughout the card it is imperative to find a few potential singles, even if they are favorites. Here are a pair of short priced horses and a couple of runners that will provide a bit more separation that I give a big look on Sunday afternoon.

Race 2

#4 Haylord makes his first start for new trainer Leonard Powell. The five-year-old gelding has raced against better over his last three races around two turns for former conditioner Marty Jones. On Sunday though, Powell cuts him back to a sprint and drops him to the bottom into a very soft $20K maiden claimer at six and a half furlongs. The Kentucky bred should find a prominent spot early and the fact that Flavien Prat takes the call suggests the son of Indygo Shiner is set to visit the winners’ circle for the initial time.

Race 5

#10 Strengthinnumbers did not break that well in her debut down the hill on May 17^th, but moved up during the middle stages and finished with significant energy to earn third for trainer . The daughter of Astrology draws favorably to the outside and comes in off a strong four-furlong drill in 47.4 over the main track on June 19^th. She appears poised for a big effort in career start number two.

Race 7

#6 Vasilika heads into her start on Closing Day in razor sharp form for Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer. The daughter of Skipashot has won 3 straight and 4 of 5 since arriving on the West Coast this winter. Hollendorfer has found a great spot for the four-year-old filly in this starter allowance event at one mile over the sod. Her affinity for the Santa Anita lawn and her tactical speed make her a likely popular single in the massive Pick 6 pool. She will be tough to beat

Race 8

#8 Just Grazed Me meets a solid group of Cal-bred protected maidens on Sunday, but she looks live on first asking for trainer Phil D’Amato. The daughter of Grazen is out of a Cuvee mare that won her first two starts. She draws favorably to the far outside in this group of 8 and comes in off a long series of works. Nick Alexander homebreds have had a lot of success over the years on this circuit and this young gal has a shot to spring the upset if she can handle the tricky six and a half furlong distance.

Great pools and solid racing on Closing Day at “The Great Race Place.” Get involved!

Good luck!