Santa Anita Stakes Plays for June 10

A pair of graded stakes races for the ladies will highlight the Saturday action at The Great Race Place.

Race 4 – Santa Margarita S. (G2)

The nine-furlong contest on the main oval attracted a total of five fillies and mares, and #2 Adare Manor looks close to unbeatable in the affair if she builds upon her Santa Maria S. (G2) romp last time out. The four-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo dons a nifty 7-4-3-0 mark on the oval and is the clear controlling speed in the contest, as well. The Bob Baffert pupil comes in with a trio of bullet morning drills as of late and retains the services of top pilot Juan Hernandez.

#1 Desert Dawn was too close to the pace in the La Troienne S. (G1) at Churchill Downs last time out, in my opinion, and she returns to the Golden State for Phil D’Amato. The Grade 2 heroine over the course will improve while making her third run of the season, and the four-year-old looks like the most logical second-place finisher in the field. She will save ground throughout the contest.

Wager

• $40 exacta: 2 with 1 ($40)

Race 7 – Honeymoon S. (G3)

The 1 1/8-mile test for sophomore fillies on the green features a competitive field, and I will take a shot with an Indiana import in #4 Selenaia for conditioner Jonathan Thomas. Bred in Ireland, the bay daughter of Sea the Moon has not faced the deepest fields of all time in coming out on top in her last pair of endeavors, but she displayed a fine turn of foot in her 2023 debut and has a lot of appeal in the affair.

Selenaia has improved her Brisnet Speed number in each start leading up to her stakes bow, and I expect another move forward on this occasion with Joe Bravo picking up the mount. The $121,000 yearling purchase could have a swift pace to rally into with a pair of speedy types in the field. She figures to be of good value at post time.

Wagers

• $10 win and place: #4 Selenaia ($20)
• $3 trifecta key 4 with 2,3,6 ($18)
• $.50-cent superfecta box: 2,3,4,6 ($12)