This weekend is all about Santa Anita Park. Belmont runs the Grade 3 Poker Stakes on Sunday. Outside of that race, things are quiet at Big Sandy. Santa Anita runs a couple of terrific non-graded stakes on Saturday as well as the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano. On Sunday, the Great Race Place runs the Grade 3 American Stakes and the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes.
Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, June 19th to Sunday, June 20th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks June 14th Edition
Top Stakes Races for the Week
- When: Saturday, June 19 – Sunday, June 20
Santa Anita Park – Saturday, June 19
- Melair Stakes – 1 1/6 miles dirt – $150,000
Saturday is the third running of the non-graded Melair Stakes. We should expect a full field because it’s not often that non-graded stakes horses can run in a race with a $150,000 purse. The race is for 3-year-old fillies. In 2019, Ruby Bradley beat Tiz A Master and Violette Szabo. Last year, Warren’s Showtime beat Smiling Shirlee and Big Sweep.
- Snow Chief Stakes – 1 1/8 miles turf – $150,000
The Snow Chief Stakes used to be a dirt race. Now it’s a turf race for 3-year-old males. Saturday’s running will be the fourth edition of the Snow Chief Stakes on the turf. Take The One O One, named for Highway 101, which also happens to be a great Social Distortion song, took top honors in 2018. 2019 saw Our Silver Oak cross the finish line first and last year Indian Peak beat California Kook and Margot’s Bay.
- Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano – 1 ¾ miles turf – $100,000
At least seven horses will run in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano on Saturday. Connections for Ward ‘N Jerry, Seven Charms, Red King, Lure Him In, Astronaut, and Acclimate are all but confirmed. Expect Phil D’Amato trained Acclimate to go off the favorite. The Acclimation sired 7-year-old gelding finished second behind Award Winner in the Grade 2 Charles Wittingham in his last.
Belmont Park – Sunday, June 20
- Grade 3 Poker Stakes – 1 mile turf – $250,000
Turf king Chad Brown will saddle a couple in the Grade 3 Poker. Both Flavius and Raging Bull should enter the starting gate. Raging Bull might go off at around 4-to-5. But Bull isn’t a lock to win this. Neil Drysdale trained Oleksandra and Bill Mott’s Penalty both have a chance. Most horseplayers expect Tell Your Daddy and Sanctuary City to round out the field.
Santa Anita Park – Sunday, June 20
- Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes – 1 mile turf – $100,000
In the Wilshire Stakes, John Sadler puts the saddle on likely favorite Stella’s Star. Warren’s Showtime, 6-time winner Leggs Galore, and Richard Baltas trained Ippodamia’s Girl will also head into the starting gate. Other runners include maiden Brooke from the Simon Callaghan barn, Quiet Secretary, and Moonhall Milly.
- Grade 3 American Stakes – 1 mile turf – $100,000
Daytona Stakes second place finisher Majestic Eagle leads a likely field of 7 in the Grade 3 American Stakes. Richard Mandella will put the saddle on Border Town. Neptune’s Storm, Wound Tight, Tiz Plus, Tatters To Riches, and third place Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile finisher Restrainedvengeance should also enter the starting gate.
