Square Eddie key to Santa Anita Stakes Pick 3
Thoroughbred horse racing: Square Eddie
- WHO: 3YO Colt Square Eddie
- WHAT: Santa Anita Stakes Pick 3
- WHER: Santa Anita
- WHEN: Saturday, January 17
Square Eddie begins his quest for the spring classics this Saturday in the 29th running of the San Rafael Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. While he may not be fully cranked for a top effort coming off a nearly three-month freshening, he should get the job done on sheer talent.
Square Eddie finished a game second as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and has been training forwardly since early December. The San Rafael (Race 7) is flanked by the Santa Ynez (G2) (Race 6) and the San Fernando (G2) (Race 8), so we’ll key #6-Square Eddie at a short price in this all-stakes Pick 3.
In thoroughbred horse racing, when you single a heavy favorite in a Pick 3, it’s tough to spread in the other legs and still achieve a healthy ROI. I’ll try to zero in on a pair of horses in the first leg, and I’ll use four horses in the last leg, which appears to be a wide-open affair. A $1 Pick 3 part wheel will cost $8 (2 X 1 X 4 X $1 = $8). Increase the amount of your ticket as your bankroll permits.
In Race 6, #3-Pinkarella looks interesting, despite her relative inexperience, because she may be the only speed in the race. I’ll use her, as well as #9-Alpha Kitten, who ran well over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface when she finished second in the Anoakia Stakes last October. Alpha Kitten will be cutting back to a distance she should handle after weakening last out in the two-turn Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1).
In Race 8, I like these four for thoroughbred horse racing: #1-Muny, #2-Wishful Tomcat, #7-Madeo and #12-Dakota Phone. Muny appears to be capable of handling any surface and should be tough on or near the lead. Wishful Tomcat has won five of his last six starts back East, and it doesn’t hurt that Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel takes over the training duties from Gary Contessa.
Madeo has demonstrated a strong closing kick on occasion, and could be a factor in the lane. Dakota Phone is in excellent form and picks up the services of jockey Garrett Gomez, who’s having an outstanding meet. Dakota Phone also enjoys a 6-lb. shift in the weights from #8-El Gato Malo.
The ticket will look like this: 3,9/6/1,2,7,12. Good luck and happy gambling!
For more tips on thoroughbred horse racing, check out Pete Mitchell’s columns twice every week.
Pete Mitchell has been handicapping horses since his teenage years. He has been a professional horse player for many years, and came to BetOnline.com’s attention through multiple referrals from industry insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete is revered for his horse handicapping opinion and industry experts acknowledge his impressive career winning record. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
