Friday’s feature at The Great Race Place is a $20,000 allowance optional claiming turf event going 5 ½ furlongs. We handicap and make horse racing picks for that race as well as a couple of high-level maiden special weight races at Santa Anita on June 19. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Santa Anita Park for Friday, June 19. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Picks
- When: Friday, June 19 at 4:00 pm ET
- Where: Arcadia, CA
- Weather: Mostly Sunny
Santa Anita Park Picks for Friday, June 19
Race 3 – 5:00 pm ET – 1 Mile Turf – $50,000 Maiden Special Weight
33% winning jockey Flavien Prat takes the call aboard Bob Baffert trained War Path. The War Front sired 3-year-old colt raced very well in his first on the grass. But in his second race over the lawn, War Path struggled to a sixth place finish. Since the loss, Baffert has put six awesome works into this one. We like War Path’s chances to get the win money.
Baffert’s other entrant, Much More Halo, will attempt to take these gate-to-wire. If Halo gets a big enough lead, he could run to the winner’s circle as soon as he crosses the finish line. Take Bob’s other entry seriously.
Still in the Game could compromise Halo’s chances, though. The Ben Cecil sired 4-year-old roan tries turf for the second time. That’s not a winning move for Cecil. But the work on June 10 was awesome. Still in the Game could steal this if Much More Halo doesn’t go for the lead.
- Win: War Path
- Place: Much More Halo
- Show: Still in the Game
Race 6 – 6:30 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $50,000 Maiden Special Weight
Mike Harrington trained With Due Cause has a real shot to take top honors in this. The 4/1 on the morning line, Creative Cause sired, 3-year-old colt improved big time from his first race to his second. With Due Cause breaks from post-position 6, which means jockey Flavien Prat can decide how much he wants to press the pace.
Bluegrass Patriot breaks from the rail. The Mark Glatt trained runner ran awesome in his first race. Patriot finished fourth, but the speed rating he got is dynamite. Any improvement makes this one a contender for the win money.
Cali Caliente should benefit from a speed duel between Too Late and Brace for Impact. If the speed duel doesn’t develop, Caliente will finish off the board. If the speed duel happens, though, Cali could win. So, use on top and bottom if you agree with our assessment.
- Win: With Due Cause
- Place: Bluegrass Patriot
- Show: Cali Caliente
Race 7 – 7:00 pm ET – 5 ½ Furlongs Turf – $20,000 Allowance Optional Claiming
Front running Harper’s Gallop cuts back in distance from a mile to this 5 ½ furlong sprint. Harper won her last race. Jockey Umberto Rispoli should have the upper hand because she breaks from the outside of most of the other speed.
One filly that breaks outside of Harper’s Gallop is 4/1 on the morning line Loud Loud Music. The Steve Miyadi trained 3-year-old heads into this off her maiden win. Miyadi’s last out maiden winners score at 29%. That should give Lou Loud Music’s backers confidence she can get it done on Friday.
Phil D’Amato wins just 8% with his first time grass runners. But Noor Khan is talented, calls Violence her sire, and heads into this off a great work. She could win if she takes to the grass.
- Win: Harper’s Gallop
- Place: Loud Loud Music
- Show: Noor Khan
