How to make money with Going Global in the Honeymoon Stakes

Six sophomore fillies will take on two-time Grade 3 queen #6 Going Global in the $100,000 Honeymoon S. (G3) at Santa Anita on Saturday. The nine-furlong turf affair features a solid cast overall, but I think that the morning-line choice will be too tough for this group.

Trained by Phil D’Amato, Going Global has won four races in succession overall, including each of her three outings since arriving in the U.S. The daughter of Mehmas didn’t show much in three unplaced efforts to start her career, but she has shown marked improvement since.

The Irish-bred took the Sweet Life S. (G3) at six furlongs in her stateside debut, and followed that with victories in the China Doll S. and Providencia S. (G3), the latter occurring at 1 1/8 miles. Going Global possesses a fine turn of foot and will be especially hard to hold off if she runs her best with regular pilot Flavien Prat in the stirrups. 

Two contenders are of particular interest to earn the minor awards. #2 Quattroelle ran just an even fifth in the Providencia last time out for Jeff Mullins, but she will move forward on Saturday. Also by Mehmas and bred in Ireland, the Blue Norther S. vixen comes in fresh and will be equipped with blinkers for the initial time. I like her chances to earn a top-two result with Tyler Baze back in the irons.

In a race lacking a confirmed frontrunner, I think that #5 Pizzazz has a chance to make a big impact with a forwardly placed voyage. One of two in the field for Richard Mandella, the War Front filly exits a game tally in the California Oaks on the Tapeta at Golden Gate and has trained forwardly since. The well-bred dark bay is not as talented as the top duo in my opinion, but if Mike Smith gets her to settle on or near the lead early on, then she can grab a share late at a decent price.

Honeymoon wagers with Going Global on top:

• $30 exacta 6 with 2 ($30)
• $6 exacta 6 with 5 ($6)
• $3 trifecta key 6 with 2,5 ($6)