1/ST BET Horse Racing Predictions from Santa Anita:
We are excited to announce a renewed partnership with the fine folks and handicappers at 1/ST BET. Jeremy Plonk and Jeff Siegel will be sharing their expertise on a weekly basis to pass along some ponies that they like for races at various tracks around the country, including Santa Anita.
For this Saturday, February 22 article, Jeff Siegel shares everything you need to know for the racing card for Santa Anita.
Santa Anita Race 1: Post: 12:30 PT
Top Selection/Prime Play: 1-America’s Mark
Forecast: America’s Mark was visually quite impressive in her recent maiden turf sprint victory in just her second career start and gave the impression that she’s a filly of some potential. The California-bred daughter of American Pharoah quickly established the pace, relaxed midway, then kicked clear when called upon to record a strong speed figure while looking like added distance will be well within her scope. She moves up into the first-level allowance state-bred ranks, lands the favorable inside draw, and projects to be the controlling speed on the stretch out, making her a logical rolling exotic single.
Santa Anita Race 10: Post: 5:02 PT
Top Selection/Prime Play: 4-Needlepoint (Ire).
Forecast: Needlepoint (Ire) is a talented European invader making her U.S. debut in a first-level allowance turf miler for older fillies and mares. She arrives fresh from a victory over the all-weather Lingfield surface but broke her maiden at first asking on grass at Chantilly (in France) as a 2-year-old, so the switch in surface won’t be an issue. Her local drills for new trainer Patrick Gallagher have caught the eye, and based on her Timeform ratings, she should be a strong fit at this level on this circuit.
