Friday's Best Bet: Dixie's Two Stents shows mettle at Santa Anita
Friday’s 6th race from Santa Anita Park is a starter optional claiming event for three-year-olds and up dashing five and one-half furlongs on the main track (Post Time 6:46 p.m. EDT).
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No. 3 DIXIE'S TWO STENTS (2-1) romped in a local $40k maiden dirt sprint as the chalk Feb. 4, and show finisher Speed Boat was a sharp next-out winner March 18. He was cut out to be a good one for Doug O’Neill but never lived up to the early hype, but he seems to be on the right track now.
No. 2 Good Vibes Only (5-2) dueled and prevailed by a half-length in his California-bred $50k dirt sprint bow at Santa Anita last fall (show finisher next-out winner), and John Sadler claimed him that day. He set the pace and missed by a neck second time out, and runner-up Charge Cash scored in his next start and recently tallied again Feb. 20. Barn is strong second after the claim and recently hot rider Juan Hernandez takes the call.
No. 7 Flash of Genius (6-1) improved his speed ratings in all three starts last year, and this is his first outing in more than eight months for quality layoff trainer Ruben Alvarado. The first time gelding adds lasix and will likely stalk outside under his new rider John Velazquez.
No. 6 Make Mine Wine (6-1) pressed the pace and kicked away in his dirt sprint bow, and broke slow from the rail and beat one rival in a turf sprint March 13. He drew a comfortable post and should impact the pace.
Get my Expert Santa Anita Park picks for March 25 - Includes Golden Hour races from Golden Gate
Wagers:
No. 3 to win
Exacta 3/2-6-7
Exacta 2-6-7/3
Recent Best Bet Winners
March 2 - Stormy Pattern/Clapton Exacta ($50.80)
March 11 - EXCELERINA ($3.60), Trifecta ($112.20)
March 22 - DISTORTED FLASH ($8.60)
March 24 - RISING EMPIRE ($5.20)