Handicapping Late Pick 4 at Santa Anita Saturday

An interesting slate of races concludes Saturday’s card at Santa Anita Saturday and I’m interested in the Late Pick 4. Here are my thoughts on the sequence and how I’ll be playing it:

Race 8

$100,000 American S. (G3) looks wide-open to me and a great way to start off the sequence. Grade 1 winner #2 WHAT A VIEW and Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) third #5 BLACKJACKCAT must be used, but I think two others have a good chance for an upset.

Late-running #3 COLONIST and sharp allowance victor #9 KENJISTORM are both in with a chance and either could get things rolling with a decent mutuel.

Race 9

The race goes through #7 WILD AT MIDNIGHT, a fine maiden winner off the shelf for Bob Baffert. She will be a single on a lot of tickets.

I will also use #5 QUEEN LAILA, who showed good promise as a sophomore and could be any kind in her 2018 debut for conditioner Simon Callaghan. Filly was a sharp debut winner last spring and smoked four panels in 46 and change in advance of her return.

Race 10

First-level allowance tilt for state-bred runners looks like a tough one to advance past without using at least a few. #1 WILL TELL goes second off the layoff for one of the hotter trainers on the grounds in Vladimir Cerin. Gray gelding has a fine rail post and speed to use on the stretch out.

Fine debut winner #3 DULUTH has to be on the ticket for Phil d’Amato. #5 DESERT GENERAL didn’t run his race with blinkers on last out, but the hood comes off and prior form tells me the five-year-old fits well in here today.

#6 INFURIATED GRAY rides in on a two-race win streak and could improve going a route of ground for the initial time. #7 CONTINETAL DIXIE has stakes experience, while #8 ACCREDIDATION earned a strong 86 BRIS Speed number graduating last out in his dirt debut.

Race 11

I’m confident about surviving the first three legs and will go with a pair to close out the ticket. #2 O K DOLL is my top selection. Tim Yakteen pupil has done much of her best work on this lawn with a 7-2-2-1 mark. Daughter of First Samurai had a nice prep when closing in a downhill sprint, and she looms large from the start second off the break.

#4 PEACH COVE exits the same race as the aforementioned and she will improve in a big way today. David Jacobson trainee owns two local wins on the lawn and is poised for a big run. Six-year-old figures to get a strong and contested pace to rally into late beneath Pedroza.

Wager

50-cent Pick 4:  2,3,5,9 with 5,7 with 1,3,5,6,7,8 with 2,4 = $48

Good luck!