Santa Anita Derby: Messier, Forbidden Kingdom Seek Derby Tickets

Last Update: Fri Apr 08, 2022, 10:50 am ET

Read Time: 6 minutes

Santa Anita Derby: Messier, Forbidden Kingdom Seek Derby Tickets

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Forbidden Kingdom and Messier are entered in the Santa Anita Derby. Seven of the last 10 horses to cross the Kentucky Derby wire first ran a prep at Santa Anita Park.

Santa Anita Derby Analysis

Santa Anita Park Race 6

Post: 2:45 PM PT; Purse: $750,000 RUNHAPPY Santa Anita Derby, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

Messier wins over the Santa Anita dirt. — Messier cruises over the Santa Anita dirt. Image courtesy of Blood Horse.

#4 MESSIER (1-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & record at the distance.
#3 FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (6-5) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & form. The slight break in training due to illness is a concern.
#6 TAIBA (4-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & breeding. In a crop that is still begging for the emergence of a superstar, this one may have the most potential.
#1 HAPPY JACK (20-1) is fine underneath but would be a surprise in the winner's circle.

Selections: 4-3-6-1

Saturday Full Undercard Analysis

Santa Anita Park Race 1

Post: 12:00 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Monrovia S., About 6 1/2 Furlongs on Downhill turf; Entries: 6

#1 ALICE MARBLE (2-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & power rating.
#6 ROYAL ADDRESS (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pace numbers.
#2 TOBYS HEART (5-2) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
#3 BROOKE MARIE (7-2) looks competitive in this spot as well.

Selections: 1-6-2-3

Santa Anita Park Race 2

Post: 12:30 PM PT; Purse: $150,000 Echo Eddie S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

#4 SMUGGLER'S RUN (6-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
#3 WHAT IN BLAZES (7-2) is worth a look here given edges in class & power rating.
#5 FINNEUS (5-2) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.
#2 MOOSE MITCHELL (4-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pace numbers.

Selections: 4-3-5-2

Santa Anita Park Race 3

Post: 1:02 PM PT; Purse: $40,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 8

#6 BESTRELLA (2-1) looks like a strong prospect edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & power rating.
#5 RAPID TRANSIT (7-2) merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & record at the distance.
#1 OPERATIC (5-1) is worth a look here given edges in connections & record at the distance.
#7 A NEW PEACE (12-1) makes sense based on the speed figures.

Selections: 6-5-1-7 (Best Bet: #6 BESTRELLA)

Santa Anita Park Race 4

Post: 1:35 PM PT; Purse: $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 5

#5 ADARE MANOR (3-5) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & pace numbers.
#3 UNDER THE STARS (5-2) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
#2 AIN'T EASY (4-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.
#4 MICRO SHARE (6-1) could hit the board though I question if this one can win this race.

Selections: 5-3-2-4

Santa Anita Park Race 5

Post: 2:05 PM PT; Purse: $100,000 Providencia S. Presented by The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 6

#4 LUCKY GIRL (5-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & pace numbers.
#6 SIXTEEN ARCHES (3-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
#2 STERLING CREST (3-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
#1 ELEUTHERA (4-1) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 4-6-2-1

Santa Anita Park Race 6

Post: 2:45 PM PT; Purse: $750,000 RUNHAPPY Santa Anita Derby, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

Santa Anita Derby analysis provided above.

Selections: 4-3-6-1

Santa Anita Park Race 7

Post: 3:17 PM PT; Purse: $200,000 Royal Heroine S., 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 5

#1 GOING GLOBAL (4-5) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
#2 EXCELERINA (5-2) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
#4 PARK AVENUE (4-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.
#3 JAVANICA (8-1) would be a solid play underneath the top selections.

Selections: 1-2-4-3

Santa Anita Park Race 8

Post: 3:52 PM PT; Purse: $39,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

#6 BAG'S GOLD (10-1) feels like an upsetter here and has to be respected based on the connections.
#1 DUTCH BUS (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & power rating.
#12 ARTHUR SPOONER (4-1) will have to overcome a wide post, but is in with a chance.
#7 ECONOMICAL (12-1) is another longshot who could factor in the race result.

Selections: 6-1-12-7

Santa Anita Park Race 9

Post: 4:22 PM PT; Purse: $67,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 9

#7 LOOKINTOGETEVEN (7-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & breeding.
#4 SNARK (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pace numbers.
#3 MYGALSDAWNNLORI (12-1) is a firster who may not win, but has the chance to outrun the odds today.
#1 BANJO QUEEN (8-1) has speed figures early in the career that suggest this one wouldn't be totally surprising in the race.

Selections: 7-4-3-1

Santa Anita Park Race 10

Post: 4:52 PM PT; Purse: $150,000 Evening Jewel S., 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

#1 BIG NOVEL (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & class.
#2 CONNIE SWINGLE (9-5) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
#9 YOUTEYOURHONOR (8-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & pace numbers.
#8 EVERLYS GIRL (8-1) is an outsider but rates out well enough to at least get a second look in this spot.

Selections: 1-2-9-8

Santa Anita Park Race 11

Post: 5:22 PM PT; Purse: $72,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, About 6 1/2 Furlongs on Downhill turf; Entries: 11

#7 BURNIN TURF (4-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & power rating.
#6 GREGDAR (8-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
#8 ANACONDA (5-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow.
#1 COULTHARD (6-1) has a power rating that suggests he could be competitive with this group.

Selections: 7-6-8-1

Santa Anita Park Race 12

Post: 5:52 PM PT; Purse: $39,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 13

#3 MONGOLIAN NINJA (30-1) is my longshot of the day. This group has no one of elite caliber so I'll take a shot with a bomb from a good barn.
#4 TODAY MATTERS (3-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pace numbers.
#7 HULK (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in race flow & power rating.
#13 MO THEM DOWN (4-1) looks good enough to win but the post is dreadful for a non-winner.

Selections: 3-4-7-13

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Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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