Stakes spot plays for opening day at Santa Anita

Ten races are on tap for a fine opening day at Santa Anita on Wednesday. The December 26 staple will play host to five stakes races with some marquee names among the entrants. Here's a look at some horses of interest to me: Malibu (G1) Overflow field of 16 is entered for the top event on the card. Grade 2 hero Copper Bullet (#3) (6-1) was a superb comeback winner at Churchill Downs and I am fascinated with the colt. Son of More Than Ready, who was making a first run since dominating the 2017 Saratoga Special (G2), was on point in crushing a solid allowance field last month. Asmussen pupil was pressured and headed through swift splits to the top of the lane, but he 're-broke' and put his foes away with pure class. Lightly raced horses simply don't do that, especially coming off a 15-month layoff. He shows three local works, too. La Brea (G1) Unbeaten Grade-1 starlet Dream Tree (#5) (8-5) makes her return and will be formidable. Baffert pupil has fired off the shelf in the past. Uncle Mo filly put in one of the more impressive runs of the season in dominating the Prioress (G2) at Saratoga in her latest venture. Her best will be too much beneath Van Dyke. Mathis Brothers Mile (G2) River Boyne (#5) (8-5) looks imposing in the 11-horse field for Jeff Mullins. Dandy Man colt exits a huge second in the Hollywood Derby (G1) and shows a sterling five-for-five mark on the Santa Anita turf. Sophomore is very logical in this spot. Combatant (#6) (8-1) is an upset contender in my view, though. Asmussen charge is winless from a trio of lifetime grassy runs but I came away impressed in his most recent try on the green. Son of Scat Daddy showed a nice turn of foot when a closing fourth in the Better Talk Now at Saratoga, and a repeat of that makes him a top-three player under Jose Ortiz. San Antonio (G2) Beach View (#9) (8-1) figures to get a fine trip off of a fast and contested pace in the 1 1/16-miles event. Leonard Powell trainee proved his class on dirt when cruising home a facile winner of the Cougar II (G3) two prior at Del Mar. Five-year-old son of Giant's Causeway had a good prep on the lawn and will run them down late beneath Bejarano. Lady of Shamrock An octet of sophomore fillies is set for the one-mile grass assignment. Animosity (#2) (12-1) has long intrigued me and I expect big improvement off the layoff. Paddy Gallagher charge is winless in four straight following two wins in succession to start her career, but she has had some excuses. Animal Kingdom filly likes the course and the one-mile trip seems ideal. Rafael Bejarano picks up the mount.