Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita picks for Sunday, Feb. 23

Might be the worst weekend card ever at Santa Anita. Someone needs to look at what is going on here. If betting numbers aren’t down it’s only because of simulcasting.

FIRST RACE: 1. Fast Moka Too, 2. Swiss Heart, 3. Hollywood Icon. LONG SHOT: Jetbird.


SECOND RACE: 1. Craving Carats, 2. Hog’s Hollow, 3. Mind the Master. LONG SHOT: Paratito.


THIRD RACE: 1. Key Vista, 2. Thermal Nermal, 3. Sister Esperanza. LONG SHOT: Twelve Folds.


FOURTH RACE: 1. Right On Schedule, 2. Curious Spy, 3. Roman Tizzy. LONG SHOT: Satch.


FIFTH RACE: 1. Legacy, 2. Velvet Mesquite, 3. Buckingham Bull. LONG SHOT: Include the Cat.


SIXTH RACE: 1. Lucky Cotton, 2. Pathway to Yes, 3. Hello Frankie. LONG SHOT: Fable Heaven.


SEVENTH RACE: 1. Mosso, 2. Voluntary, 3. California Jade. LONG SHOT: Presiding Justice.


EIGHTH RACE: 1. Pure Tactics (best bet), 2. Unbridled’s Note, 3. Zimmer. LONG SHOT: Sweet Swap.

The 5-year-old PURE TACTICS ships in from New Orleans to give the West Coast circuit a try for trainer Doug O’Neill. Jockey Rafael Bejarano and his agent see enough to take the mount. The horse seems to have the right style for the downhill course by coming off the pace. It will be a matter of whether he takes to it.


NINTH RACE: 1. Indygo Andy, 2. We Have Lift Off, 3. Street Maven. LONG SHOT: Puerto Williams.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Saturday’s top choice winners: 4 (Salsita $2.40, first race; Burns Turn $4.80, fourth; I Don’t Care Who $6.80, seventh; Ambitious Brew $8, eighth)

Saturday’s second choice winners: 4 (Brave Act $4.80, second; Room for Me $5.20, third; Sidebar $4, fifth; One Time Only $7)

Saturday’s third choice winners: 0

Saturday’s long shot winners: 1 (Love Forever $18.40, ninth)


2 thoughts on “Santa Anita picks for Sunday, Feb. 23

    • The way I handicap, I never look at morning-lines. I don’t want odds to influence me. I pick my top 3 and then my fourth horse I call my “long shot.” You’re right, some times they aren’t that “long” others they are.

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