Saturday's Best Bet: Mucho Unusual a strong threat in Buena Vista
Saturday’s 5th race from Santa Anita Park is the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares traveling one mile on the turf course (Post Time 5:29 p.m. ET).
Click here for Santa Anita Park Entries, Results
#4 MUCHO UNUSUAL (8-1) experienced a tough loss as my top choice in the American Oaks (G1) at a mile and a quarter Dec. 28. She does some of her best work at this course and distance, and her winning pilot Joel Rosario strings along.
#1 Jolie Olimpica (8-5) won her first three starts in Brazil, and came to this country and was a smashing success in the Las Cienegas (G3) at 5.5 furlongs Jan. 11. If she runs back to that race or improves, it is probably game over. This race is wide open if she regresses at all.
#2 Carressa (4-1) stepped up, switched to turf, and sat a great stalking trip from the rail in her 4-1 Megahertz (G3) score Jan. 20. She will probably work out another nice tactical trip.
#8 Lady Prancelaot (5-1) exits back-to-back graded wins under Joe Bravo. The 3-time local winner will try to get involved late in her first start vs. older rivals.
#3 Muchly (15-1) is an overseas invader for Simon Callaghan, and both of her wins in Great Britain were at this distance. Sharp turf rider Umberto Rispoli takes the call.
Wagers:
#4 to win
Exacta 4/1-2
Exacta 1-2/4
Trifecta 1-4/1-4/2-3-8
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)