Santa Anita: Stakes plays for Jan. 29

Santa Anita

January 28th, 2022

A trio of graded stakes races will highlight a fine card at "The Great Race Place" on Saturday.

Race 4 – San Vicente S. (G2)

Conditioner Bob Baffert has three in the five-horse field, and I think that he will be in the winners’ circle getting his photo taken following the seven-furlong dash. #4 Doppelganger has a trio of fleet sophomores drawn to his inside, and I think he will get a great set up with Flavien Prat in the silks. The $570,000 son of Into Mischief overcame both a rail post and slow break to roll home in his debut at Los Alamitos, and he has trained swiftly in the interim. The bay looks to be a really nice prospect going forward.

Wager

$40 win #4 Doppelganger ($40)

Race 7 – Megahertz S. (G3)

The one-mile grassy test for fillies and mares attracted eight runners. I feel that this is a very good spot for the ultra-consistent #2 Warren’s Showtime to put her best foot forward. The California-bred daughter of Clubhouse Ride has registered six of her eight lifetime victories at the distance, and she also has an affinity for Santa Anita with a 13-6-1-5 mark. The chestnut mare will stalk the tempo early on with regular rider Juan Hernandez in the silks.

Wager

$20 win and place #2 Warren’s Showtime ($40)

Race 8 – Palos Verdes S. (G3)

A talented field of six sprinters will vie in the $200,000 dash. The Vladimir Cerin-trained #6 Arham is two-for-two since arriving in this barn and gets the upset nod from the outside post. The lightly raced son of Union Rags has long flashed potential, but it was the addition of blinkers that has moved the five-year-old forward in my opinion. Arham aced his local debut with a professional allowance tally last time out, and he has every right to peak in his third test off the layoff. He will track a sharp early tempo prior to making his move at the top of the lane. Juan Hernandez could cap a big day atop the selection.