How to bet the Santa Barbara Stakes

An octet of fillies and mares will travel 1 1/2 miles on the Santa Anita turf Saturday in the $100,000 Santa Barbara S. (G3). The grassy marathon lacks a standout in a wide-open affair, as just a single runner was victorious in her latest engagement. And I will tab that filly for the win.

#7 Go Big Blue Nation is just two-for-14 lifetime, but aced her initial test at a distance of this nature most recently. The four-year-old Animal Kingdom lass traveled at the back of the pack in a second-level allowance test at 1 1/4 miles, before driving home impressively to win in going-away fashion. The McCarthy trainee had been knocking on the door in a few races leading up to her tally, and the former claimer has shown improvement since removing blinkers in October.

The chestnut Kentucky-bred does not possess a lot of early foot, but I think Go Big Blue Nation will be a bit closer from the start on Saturday while making her 12-furlong debut. Turf ace Rispoli will guide the improving four-year-old.

I have a lot of interest in Richard Mandella’s #3 Tapwater in her first try at a marathon trip. The lightly raced daughter of Tapit has early foot, and she comes off an encouraging fourth-place performance in the Royal Heroine S. (G2) on the course in her second try of 2021. The homebred draws well and is in the right barn to handle the added ground on Saturday. Top local pilot Flavien Prat has the call, and he should place the six-year-old on the front end at the start.

Canadian S. (G2) queen #2 Rideforthecause has a bit of a class edge for McCarthy. By Candy Ride, the five-year-old mare came to hand in a big way last season, and she will show marked improvement with the additional distance in her third start of the season. The bay will be stalking the pace early on with Mario Gutierrez in the stirrups.

#4 Carpe Vinum and Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) #6 Neige Blanche are also logical in this spot, and I will include each in my vertical plays.

Santa Barbara Wagers

• $10 win and place #7 Go Big Blue Nation ($20)
• $.50-cent superfecta: 7 with 2,3 with 2,3,4,6 with all ($15)