Saturday's Best Bet: Essential Wager is smart choice in Palos Verdes
Saturday’s 8th race from Santa Anita Park is the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes for four-year-olds and up dashing six furlongs on the main track (Post Time 7:22 p.m. EST).
No. 2 ESSENTIAL WAGER (5-2) fired in all three starts including back-to-back wins at this distance. He improved his speed ratings in all three starts and should make his presence felt throughout under Abel Cedillo. With a lack of front end speed in this race, he could easily take them all the way under aggressive handling.
No. 3 Cezanne (8-5) is an expensive, fragile five-year-old with a 3-for-4 record. He was outstanding when running off the screen vs. three foes in the Kona Gold (G3) last spring, and he figures to stalk the pace under his regular pilot Flavien Prat. He won both local dirt sprints and is training forwardly for this.
No. 6 Arham (4-1) won both Southern California starts since moving to the Vladimir Cern barn and Juan Hernandez was aboard both times. He pressed from the outside post in a fast optional claiming score at this course/distance Dec. 31, and he projects a similar trip in this spot.
Get my Expert Santa Anita Park picks for Jan. 29
Wagers:
No. 2 to win
Exacta 2/3-6
Exacta 3-6/2
Recent Best Bet Winners
Jan. 1 - Sir Alfred James/Souper Highvoltage Exacta ($26.20)
Jan. 12 - Cutefacechubywaist/First Forever Exacta ($33.20)
Jan. 15 - Brickyard Ride/Positivity Exacta ($21.20)
Jan. 18 - VROYSKY ($13.20), Exacta ($44.60)
Jan. 21 - BADGER KITTEN ($4.20)
Jan. 25 - BRAZEN ($3.80), Exacta ($22.80)
Jan. 28 - YOUTE ($5.60), Trifecta ($62.40)