Santa Anita stakes plays for February 8

A pair of graded stakes events will take place at the “Great Race Place” on Saturday.

Las Virgenes (G2) Analysis

A compact field of five will vie in the one-mile affair for sophomore fillies. The feature did not attract the top fillies on the West Coast, but a well-matched cast makes it an intriguing race, nonetheless.

All eyes will be on exciting maiden heroine #4 Venetian Harbor (2-5) for trainer Richard Baltas. Bay filly by Munnings was a sharp runner-up on debut when sprinting on the grass, and she followed that up with a 10-length tour-de-force on the Santa Anita main surface second time out.

The 3-year-old lass earned a 99 BRIS Speed figure, as well as a 102 BRIS Late Pace number most recently, and the race goes through the fine prospect. #2 Gingham (6-1), one of two in the cast for Bob Baffert, gets the nod to complete the logical exacta. Quality Road filly was an allowance victress going the distance at Santa Anita in her most recent offering.

Las Virgenes Wager

• $20 Exacta:
  • 4 with 2 ($20)

Thunder Road (G3) Analysis

A strong field of 10 will go postward in the one-mile turf endeavor. The well-matched field appears to be a fine betting option featuring a well-matched cast of grassy performers.

I am going to take a swing with comebacker #9 Take the One O One (20-1) for excellent layoff conditioner Brian Koriner. Acclamation 5-year-old bagged the 2018 Snow Chief S. in his lone run on the local turf, and the California-bred has been training swiftly in advance of his return off the 16-month absence.

Take the One O One will face other speed players in the field, but I envision him clearing early on while fresh beneath Brice Blanc. Lure S. hero #1 Ronald R (6-1), and Grade 2 winner and defending champ #4 True Valour (7-2), are the pair that I will focus on for the exotics.

Thunder Road Wagers

• $10 Win & Place:
  • #9 Take the One O One ($20)
• $1 Trifecta:
  • 9 with 1,4 with all ($16)
• $1 Trifecta:
  • 1,4 with 9 with all ($16)