Analyzing Sunday carryovers at Hawthorne and Santa Anita

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a pair of Sunday carryovers at Hawthorne and Santa Anita, including a first-time starter at 6-1 odds.

Hawthorne, Race 2: $5,153 Pick 6 carryover (4:05 p.m. ET)

The seven-race Sunday card at Hawthorne is highlighted by a $5,153 carryover in the $1 Pick 6.

Looking for a viable single to build tickets around? You can find one right off the bat in Race 2, a $5,000 claimer for older horses sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt.

#2 Winging Ways (4-5) was in strong form through the second half of 2024. He led from start to finish in three straight $4,000 claimers, winning by margins of one length, 5 3/4 lengths, and 3 1/2 lengths. He earned improving Brisnet Speed ratings of 75, 80, and 81, and his largest margin of victory came at Hawthorne.

Winging Ways has been freshened since October by trainer Max Quinonez, who has compiled an excellent 6-for-13 (38%) record at Hawthorne this meet. Quick workouts (including a bullet half-mile in :48 2/5) suggest Winging Ways is ready to pick up where he left off last fall.

Keep in mind, none of the five rivals Winging Ways will face on Sunday have posted a Brisnet Speed rating higher than 78 in their last two starts apiece. A typical performance should be sufficient for Winging Ways to deliver victory as a Pick 6 single.

Santa Anita, Race 11: $8,273 Super High 5 carryover (9:08 p.m. ET)

The final race on Sunday at Santa Anita features an $8,273 carryover in the $1 Super High 5.

Race 11 is a maiden special weight for California-breds racing one mile on turf. Morning-line favorite #11 Miles Finch (5-2) brings tactical speed to the table and hasn’t missed the trifecta in four starts, all at this class level. But his tendency to settle for minor awards suggests he isn’t unbeatable on Sunday, especially while marooned in an outside post.

We suggest trying to beat Miles Finch with the first-time starter #6 Winning Patriot (6-1), at least on some tickets. His sire, Om, was a talented turf horse who won four graded stakes over distances from one mile to 1 1/8 miles. His dam, Patriot C H, previously foaled Super Patriot, winner of the Fran’s Valentine S. and runner-up in the Megahertz (G3) racing one mile on turf.

In other words, Winning Patriot is bred to shine as a turf miler. He enters off a swift series of workouts at Santa Anita: five furlongs in a bullet :58 4/5, five furlongs in 1:00 2/5, half a mile from the starting gate in :47, and a bullet half-mile in :46. There’s clearly some talent here, so don’t leave Winning Patriot off your tickets.

Good luck!