Santa Anita Spot Plays for Sunday, June 16

A pair of stakes events on the lawn will be featured on a very good 12-race card at Santa Anita on Sunday. 

Race 4 – Cinema S. 

A compact field of five sophomores will run nine panels on the lawn in the initial black-type race of the afternoon. #5 British Isles (3-1) takes the jump from maiden winner to stakes ranks, but I think the son of Justify will be up to the task. The chestnut has run two good ones since transferring to the barn of Richard Baltas, closing swiftly with good energy in each of those assignments. If he breaks cleanly and stays in range early, British Isles will look to wear his foes down in the lane with Antonio Fresu in the silks. 

Wager:

$20 win and place #5 British Isles ($40)

Race 6 – San Juan Capistrano S. (G3)

The closing-day headliner will be contested at the unique distance of 1 3/4 miles down the Hillside turf course and attracted a field of six. #6 Planetario (6-5) is the defending champ and appears formidable as a strong repeat contender for Richard Mandella. The Brazilian-bred bay had an excellent prep when a neck third in the Whittingham (G2) last time out, and the additional ground with which he will work with is clearly a benefit, as well. Regular pilot Hector Berrios will be in the controls once again. 

I’m curious if Fresu will put #2 Rockemperor (3-1) close or on the lead early on, and if he does, then I can envision this one staying on for second at the finish in his first try at the trip. The son of Holy Roman Emperor has back class to him, and he will improve while making his second run for D’Amato, too. He ran evenly in the Whittingham at 10 panels and might thrive at this extended voyage with a bit of value in the small field.

Wagers

$30 exacta 6 with 2 ($30)

$5 exacta 2 with 6 ($5)