By Jarrod Horak
Santa Anita Park features a Pick 6 carryover of $32,111 for Sunday, March 15, and the sequence begins in Race 4. With a modest carryover and a sequence that appears fairly chalky on paper, the goal here is to structure a lean $16 ticket while still giving ourselves a realistic shot at sweeping all six races.
The handicapping insights below come directly from the data inside the Complete Digest, including key metrics like Fire Number, CPR, Fast Figs, and Final Time Ratings.
Let’s go race by race and break down the sequence.
Race 4 – Claiming $6,250 (1 Mile)
Short field makes for a potential single.
After scratches, this race is reduced to just three runners, which immediately simplifies the opening leg of the Pick 6.
The standout here is Contrary Chieftain, who owns the best Final Time Rating (129) among the remaining horses.
Key factors:
- Won convincingly at one mile at Santa Anita on January 18
- Earned a 129 Final Time Rating in that victory
- Dropped in class after a failed try against $16,000 claimers
- Speed-favoring distance profile
Neither Mother’s Prayer nor Mischief’s Causeway have recent winning form to match that figure.
Race 5 – Optional Claiming (1 Mile Turf)
This race features a competitive nine-horse field, but the numbers point strongly toward a few logical contenders.
Top Contender: Beef Winslow
Beef Winslow enters in sharp form with back-to-back victories.
Highlights:
- 143 Final Time Rating winning a $40k claiming race at one mile
- Won again sprinting 6½ furlongs in January
- 4-for-8 in Santa Anita turf routes
- Gets Juan Hernandez back aboard
Other Contenders
Kokosan (#1)
- Broke maiden impressively with a 131 Final Time Rating
- Overcame a tough post 10 trip last start
- Inside draw should allow a ground-saving trip
Baldoro (#3)
Strong on paper but more of a consistent underneath type.
Race 6 – Optional Claiming (6½ Furlongs)
A five-horse field here, but still competitive.
Cash Call – The Likely Favorite
The Bob Baffert trainee returns from a layoff but brings strong credentials.
Key positives:
- Previously improved from 102 → 105 → 119 → 130+ Final Time Ratings
- Two bullet workouts leading into the race
- Strong Baffert–Hernandez combination
- Proven ability to fire fresh
Other contenders include Magnificat and Thermal, both exiting a graded stakes event, but Cash Call looks poised for a strong return.
Race 7 – Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes (1¼ Miles Turf)
This is the feature race of the sequence, and the class runners stand out.
Mrs. Astor – The Horse to Beat
Mrs. Astor enters with back-to-back stakes wins and excellent course form.
Key stats:
- Four turf wins at Santa Anita
- Won a mile-and-a-half stakes last start
- Consistently finishes in the top three
Value Contender: Public Assembly
Public Assembly offers an intriguing upset possibility.
Reasons to consider:
- Has competed exclusively in graded stakes company
- Two strong performances at 1¼ miles
- Came within a neck of Mrs. Astor previously
- Distance should help her closing kick
Race 8 – Maiden Claiming $20,000 (6 Furlongs)
This race shapes up well for speed and pressing types.
Cash In Toknight
The Doug O’Neill trainee gets major class relief.
Key angles:
- Drops from $50k maiden claimers to $20k
- Better race spacing after two quick starts
- Strong O’Neill–Jaramillo connection
Twisted Humor
Another logical contender dropping back to this level.
- Competitive Final Time Ratings
- Ran well in debut at this class level
- Should sit close to the pace
Race 9 – Optional Claiming $50k (6 Furlongs Turf)
The finale features plenty of speed, which could set up a tactical runner from the outside.
Rosa Parks – Improving Filly
Rosa Parks shows a steady progression in speed figures:
- 96 → 110 → 116 → 125 Final Time Ratings
- Tactical speed ideal for this race shape
- Second start after a layoff
- Draws a favorable outside post
Trainer Phil D’Amato and jockey Antonio Fresu have kept this filly moving forward, and she looks positioned for the perfect stalking trip.
Eiffel could be an interesting exotics horse, especially second start off the layoff after a troubled trip last time.