img HORSE

SANTA ANITA Race #7 (THE JOE HERNANDEZ STAKES)

January 1, 2018
img3:35 PM Eastern
Premium Pick

Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (RICHARD'S BOY) (5-2) - Veteran has been freshened up since missing by a 'head' to uncoupled stable-mate 'Stormy Liberal' in the five-furlong Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) in Nov. at Del Mar. He has a fine record here at this tricky 'down the hill' trip (9-2-5-1) and gets a slight edge.

2nd pick: #2 (Pee Wee Rese) (3-1) - Speedy sort shortens up after going 4-2-1-1 in a series of races going a mile on the grass. He's won three of four on this course and was an easy winner March 17 in his only previous attempt at this 6.5-furlong trip. An obvious win candidate.

3rd pick: #7 (Om) (7-2) - He hasn't won since scoring here going a mile in a G2 stakes on Dec. 26 of 2015. However, he's gone 11-0-4-4 since then with every one of those starts coming in 'Graded' stakes on the turf. Working fast, he's been competitive in both previous local starts at this trip.

4th pick: #5 (Tribalist) (9-2) - State bred has gone 6-3-2-1 on the grass and was only a bit more than a length behind 'Richard's Boy' here at this distance Oct. 21. Freshened up since then, speed/stalker must be left in the mix.

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