How to bet the Santa Anita H. and Frank E. Kilroe Mile

The San Felipe (G2) isn’t the only major race taking place on Saturday at Santa Anita. In fact, when it comes to race grades, it can’t even be considered the most important event of the afternoon.

The historic Santa Anita H. (G1) and the classy Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) are also on the Saturday agenda, and their Grade 1 rankings hold more prestige as far as division championships are concerned. Both races have drawn deep and competitive fields, so let’s put together some picks and plays on a $70 budget.

Race 9: Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1, 7:26 p.m. ET)

#9 Ride a Comet (7-2) has been a monster since returning from a two-year layoff last fall. After winning back-to-back sprints over the synthetic track at Woodbine, Ride a Comet transitioned to turf for the one-mile Tropical Turf (G3) at Gulfstream, where he ran out of his skin to beat the Grade 1-placed Casa Creed by half a length. Ride a Comet could have settled for a minor award after racing wide behind modest early fractions, but instead he rocketed the final quarter mile in :22.40 to claim top honors.

This was hardly the first time Ride a Comet has displayed a sensational turn-of-foot on grass. Back in 2018, he shipped to California for the 1 1/8-mile Del Mar Derby (G2) and exploded from off the pace to beat a nice field led by future Grade 1 winner River Boyne. If Ride a Comet’s 7-2 morning line odds hold up, we’ll enthusiastically bet him to win and single him to kick off a double wager.

$30 to win on #9 Ride a Comet
$10 Double: 9 with 2
Total: $40

Race 10: Santa Anita H. (G1, 8:00 p.m. ET)

On paper, #2 Maxfield (8-5) isn’t the fastest horse in the Santa Anita H. field. He’s never posted a triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating, a plateau six of his seven rivals have exceeded at one time or another.

But Maxfield is nevertheless the horse to beat because he’s consistent and possesses a clear winning instinct. The Godolphin homebred is undefeated in five starts, unleashing powerful rallies to win the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Matt Winn (G3), Tenacious S., and Mineshaft (G3).

Injuries have forced Maxfield to miss several major races in the past, but trainer Brendan Walsh has settled the son of Street Cry into a rhythm this season. Maxfield has never run farther than 1 1/16 miles, but he’s bred to enjoy the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the Santa Anita H., setting the stage for a career-best effort in his third start back from a layoff.

We’ll single Maxfield to conclude our double, then bet him over San Pasqual (G2) 1-3 finishers #5 Express Train (3-1) and #6 Idol (6-1) in the exacta and trifecta.

$10 Exacta: 2 with 5,6 ($20)
$5 Trifecta: 2 with 5,6 with 5,6 ($10)
Total: $30

Good luck!