Race Selections: Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap

By Rick Francis —-

A field of eight will go to post for the 83rd renewal of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, The Big ‘Cap. Contested at the classic distance of a mile and one quarter, it also features returning champion Gift Box as he tries to give trainer John Sadler his third consecutive victory in one of America’s truly great races; let’s take a look at the starters.

SANTA ANITA

Race 10) 1&1/4 Mile. Santa Anita H. Grade I. Purse $600,000 FOR FOUR -YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD
Post Time: 7:03/ 6:03/ 5:03/( 4:03) ADVANCED FORECAST: Slight Chance Rain Showers, High 60, Low 48.

1) Multiplier (Miller/Gaffalione); is winless in his last ten starts, winless here and batting zero at the distance.

2) Two Thirty Five (Baltas/Fuentes); money finishes in last six starts and is 7-for-8 here with three wins and a pair of seconds and thirds; form is solid.

3) Brown Storm (McCarthy/Berrios); Scat Daddy 5-year-old has been a turf player for quite some time, including his three North American starts; trainer is having a hot meet and the surface switch angle is a strong one,22 percent.

4) Gift Box (Sadler/Rosario); 2019’s winner exits a strong gate-to-wire win in the G2 San Antonio last December; he could not be in better form.

5)Midcourt (Shirreffs/Espinoza); has won 5-of-6 with his lone loss in that stretch coming to Gift Box two back. 5-year-old tests the distance for the first time, but as with the aforementioned, in solid form.

6) Combatant (Sadler/Rispoli); ran third last out in the G3 San Pasquale, the closest he’s come that “signature” win.

7) Hofburg (Mott/Prat); Tapit showed the effects of a six-month layoff last out finishing well beaten in the Grade 3 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds; pass.

8) Endorsed (McLaughlin/Van Dyke); the “wildcard”.Distance proven with his fourth place finish in the G1 Travers last August, Medaglia d’Oro colt closed from the rear to top Gulfstream OC’s in January; don’t ignore.

Selections: 4, 5, 8, 2