Saturday's Best Bet: Goliad can win the battle in Pasadena Stakes

Saturday’s 7th race from Santa Anita Park is the $100,000 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds traveling one mile on the turf course (Post Time - 6:30 p.m. ET).

Click here for Santa Anita Park Entries, Results

#8 GOLIAD (5-1) dueled from the inside post before weakening in the Eddie Logan last time. He relaxed nicely in his other three starts, which produced a win and two runner-up finishes. He will probably try to stalk from an outer post under his new rider Abel Cedillo.

#6 Smooth Like Strait (3-1) dueled with Goliad last time. He went all the way in back-to-back turf races before that, and he is probably going straight to the front in this spot.

#2 Last Opportunity (4-1) was up for 3rd vs. this kind in his U.S. bow in the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) late last year. This is his first start since and he should get pace to chase.

#9 Hariboux (7-2) switched to Umberto Rispoli and rallied for the place in the Eddie Logan Dec. 29. Look for him late.

I have to mention #4 Club Aspen (12-1). The California-bred won the King Glorious at Los Alamitos late last year, and was unplaced in his lone turf try last year in the Zuma Beach. Craig Lewis has had success with Clubhouse Ride runners on turf and dam has produced a turf winner. He is worth a longshot look. 

Wagers:

#8 to win

Exacta 8/2-6-9

Exacta 2-6-9/8

Trifecta 6-8/2-6-8-9/2-4-6-8-9

February 2020 Best Bet Winners

Feb. 5 - WISH UPON ($6.00), Exacta ($12.20), Trifecta ($11.40)

Feb. 9 - NADAL ($2.60), Exacta ($6.00)

Feb. 10 - Rocky Boy Indian/Night at the Opera Exacta ($18.00)

Feb. 11 - Tapete Claire/Mad Mary Exacta ($17.40)

Feb. 13 - PASSIONATE REWARD ($5.80), Exacta ($7.20)

Feb. 17 - GO GOOGLE YOURSELF ($6.20)

Feb. 19 - MISS PERFECTA ($2.20), Exacta ($6.20), Trifecta ($9.30)

Feb. 23 - SIR RICK ($5.40)

Feb. 24 - V. I. P. CODE ($3.80), Exacta ($10.20), Trifecta ($12.40)

Feb. 25 - Play On/Hotshot Anna Exacta ($47.40)

Feb. 26 - NAVY ARMED GUARD ($5.20), Exacta ($26.00)

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