Santa Anita Graded Stakes Picks for March 21

Play ponies with us from Santa Anita!

Two graded stakes tilts on the lawn will be hosted by Santa Anita on Saturday and here is how we will bet them.

San Simeon (G3)

A very good field of seven will travel 5 1/2 furlongs in a turf dash. The fantastic #2 Bound For Nowhere is the one to beat, and the lightly raced 6-year-old will be tough if he fires his best shot. But with the abundance of pace in the field, I will take a shot with a late runner.

Doug O’Neill claimed #3 Murad Khan two back and the gelding was a winner in his first for his new connections. The in-form bay has finished in the money in five straight, and while he lacks the class that a few of his contenders possess, the 7-year-old will have a swift and contested pace to rally into on Saturday. Son of Raven’s Pass will be a nice price, too.

Wagering Strategy:

I will box the pair in an exacta, as well as keying Murad Khan on top of the vertical exotics.

San Luis Rey (G3)

Turf marathon at 1 /2 miles goes through Grade 2 star #4 Oscar Dominguez. Baltas trainee is the class of the field, and the son of Zoffany has run well in each start since being claimed by this outfit 13 months prior. Irish-bred will be tough to beat with his best if he puts in his customary late burst.

#3 Ashleyluvssugar has not won a race since 2018, but the old class horse lands in a good spot on Saturday. Eurton-trained 9-year-old ran an even fourth in his 2020 debut going 9 panels, and I expect him to be sharp and forwardly placed second time back on the stretch out. Game Plan gelding shows six morning drills in preparation of the San Luis Rey, as well.

Wagering Strategy:

A cold exacta with Oscar Dominguez over Ashleyluvssugar.