Santa Anita Opening Day; Handicapping GII San Antonio, Mathis Bros. Mile

By Rick Francis —-

Collected one to beat in Grade 2 San Antonio; Benoit Photo

SANTA ANITA

Race 3) G2 San Antonio Stakes 1&1/16th Mile Post Time 4:04 EST

Hoppertunity (1), Baffert/Prat; won this to start 2017 when he rallied from last; champion always brings it; catch him while you can, maybe swan song.

Top of the Game (2), Cerin/Desormeaux; is a perfect 4-for-4 here, however offered little in his first graded attempt last out in the G3 Native Diver.

Giant Expectations (3), Eurton/Stevens; owns a couple of seconds and a third from seven starts here, and is winless at the distance; exits a well-beaten sixth in BC Mile.

Prime Attraction (4), Cassidy/Espinoza; talented colt came alive last out in taking the Native Diver, and in that win posted the field’s highest last out speed figure; a lot of upside here.

Accelerate (5), Sadler/Castellano; jock change to Javier Castellano opens the eyes, as he tries to get this Lookin At Lucky colt back on track; never off the board at the route.

Collected (6), Baffert/Smith; a warm-up for the Pegasus World Cup? City Zip colt is a perfect 4-for-4 here; two back bettered world horse Arrogate in Pac Classic; expect a strong showing at a short price.

Selections: 6, 4, 5, 1

Race 6) G2 Mathis Brothers Mile Turf 3YO Post Time 5:40 EST

Big Score (8), last three starts have been strong efforts placing twice and showing in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby; owns two wins and seconds at the mile distance.

Colonist (3), in two turf attempts he’s missed by less than a length in the G3 LaJolla, and in last stayed on for furth less than 2 lengths back; he’ll be a threat for the top spot here.

Harbor Master (4), the field’s lone last out winner has shown a solid late kick at the mile that’ll make him part of the picture late.

Holiday Stone (6), has faced tough company from coast-to-coast; another around late.

Selections: 8, 3, 4, 6