Below is the early Pick 5 ticket for March 24th, 2018 at Santa Anita Park. As always the ticket is $20 or less and the sequence is extra intriguing with a carryover coming in.
Race 1
Eagle Screams (#2, 5-1) looks poised for victory as he returns to the turf first off the claim for Steve Miyadi. Miyadi hits at 33% off the claim and he removes the blinkers after his gelding was involved in the early pace last time out. Look for him to sit back and make one run at a class level that fits him like a glove.
Comes the Dream (#1, 6-1) makes his third start off the layoff and drops in class after splitting the field in an overnight stakes. He has plenty of back class and could be the one to fear most if this race falls apart late.
Race 2
Once on Whiskey (#5, 8-5) was outrun early on debut before closing like a freight train to run second behind his stablemate. He has worked very well since that effort and looks like a strong single second-time-out while getting an extra furlong to work with.
Race 3
Powder (#5, 7-2) was involved in a fierce pace duel last time and should be able to relax on the lead this time around. She has won half of her career starts on the dirt and will move forward second off a short layoff.
Fair Regis (#3, 5-2) loves Santa Anita Park, has never been better and is dangerous if she can repeat her last effort. She improved 15 Beyer points last time out, so a bounce is a very realistic possibility. I could see this filly going either way, but it is tough to leave her off the ticket as she goes for her fourth win in a row.
Race 4
Fly First Class (#3, 3-1) has run two strong races over the dirt and could move up over the turf with European breeding on his Dam side. Speed has been very dangerous down the hill and he will try to take this group as far as he can.
Bob’s Bad Boy (#2, 5-1) improved tremendously when removing the blinkers and switching to turf last time. He did faced maiden claimers, but they were of the open variety. The step up into straight Cal-bred maidens is not much and this gelding should be pressing the early pace.
Hit the Seam (#8, 5-1) has only run one good race on the dirt, but he is bred to love the turf and makes a couple of key equipment changes. He will race as a first-time gelding and will remove the blinkers while picking up Corey Nakatani. He has been freshened and is a true wildcard in a race begging to be won by an outsider.
Race 5
Paradise Woods (#3, 1-1) is certainly the horse to beat as 7 furlongs appears to be the perfect distance for this talented filly and Santa Anita Park is her favorite track. She has also worked like further progression is in the cards. She did have to overcome a few minor setbacks prior to this race however; and she will be a very short price in a field that features a few other very nice fillies.
Selcourt (#5, 5-2) seems to have really blossomed as a four-year-old. She dug in tenaciously last-time-out to win her second in a row. She is drawn outside of Paradise Woods and should get first jump on her main rival.
Skye Diamonds (#4, 5-2) should be sharper as she makes her second start off a layoff and will be the beneficiary if Paradise Woods and Selcourt hook up on the front end. She should sit a nice trip and is classy enough to pull of the minor upset.
$0.50 Pick 5 Ticket: 1,2 – 5 – 3,5 – 2,3,8 – 3,4,5 = $18
-Padraic Manocchio
@xbtvpadraic
