Santa Anita: Stakes Spot Plays for April 8

A total of six black-type races will headline a blockbuster day of racing at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Race 5 – Charles Whittingham S. (G2)

The 1 1/4-mile turf endeavor attracted seven, with a trio of those to be saddled by conditioner Phil D’Amato. #6 Masteroffoxhounds (5-2) will be the one to catch in the tilt and gets top billing. The six-year-old son of War Front was runner-up in the event in 2022, and he looks like he could control the race from the opening bell this season with Umberto Rispoli in the controls.

Race 7 – Echo Eddie S.

The six-furlong dirt dash for California-bred sophomores attracted some nice prospects, led by my top pick #3 Bus Buzz (5-2). The Stay Thirsty gelding aired on debut, and he put in a fine effort when runner-up in his bow with winners last time out. The $97,000 yearling purchase will be forcing the early tempo from the break with regular pilot Edwin Maldonado in the silks once again.

Race 10 – Monrovia S. (G3)

Fillies and mares will travel 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in the turf dash. She will not be a great price in a big field, but D’Amato’s #10 Leggs Galore (4-1) sports a superb 10-7-2-0 mark on the course and is hard to go against. The Bayern mare comes in fresh off the bench and appears to be training in nice fashion in anticipation of her six-year-old debut. Ricardo Gonzalez will be in the stirrups.

Race 11 – Santa Anita Oaks (G2)

A total of nine three-year-old fillies will travel 1 1/16 miles on the dirt in this affair. I feel that #5 Faiza (9-5) will be especially tough in this spot, as the unbeaten filly looks to be the class of the cast for Bob Baffert. However, Mike McCarthy’s #3 Clearly Unhinged (4-1) looked so good to me at first asking that I will give her a chance to give a fine account of herself on the stretch out. The Into Mischief homebred showed speed and a closing kick in that dash, and her future is bright.