Saturday's Best Bet: Social Paranoia gathers momentum in Kilroe Mile

Saturday’s 9th race from Santa Anita Park is the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile for 4-year-olds and up traveling one mile on the turf course (Post Time 7:26 p.m. ET).

I have always liked #3 SOCIAL PARANOIA (8-1). He is 3-for-3 at this distance and can get involved late under Abel Cedillo. He was out of his element in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at nine and one-half furlongs last time. He pressed wide from post 12 and ended up an even 4th in that event. He is most effective as a late runner at one mile on firm turf.

#6 Flavius (6-1) shipped to California and finished 2nd in the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2) from post 11 last fall. Chad Brown’s layoff runners are always dangerous and Flavien Prat ends up here.

#9 Ride a Comet (7-2) has a nose for the wire. He is 5-for-6 on turf and 3-for-3 at this distance. The sharp, fresh Florida shipper can stalk or close.

As for the locals, #1 Smooth Like Strait (4-1) is a sharp, fresh, early-pressing type with Umberto Rispoli in the saddle. This is his first start vs. older.

#2 Hit the Road (4-1) returned from a vacation of more than six months and captured the Thunder Road (G3) Feb. 6. He won his last three starts under Rispoli but he abandons for the rail horse. Florent Geroux ends up here.  

Wagers:

#3 to win

Exacta Box 3-6

Trifecta Key 3/1-2-6-9

Trifecta 1-2-6-9/3/1-2-6-9

Recent Best Bet Winners

Feb. 16 - ELLE Z ($6.60), Exacta ($13.80)
Feb. 19 - I'm Leaving You/Hoop Dream Exacta ($21.00)
Feb. 21 - SHE'SA PERFECTLADY ($5.80)
Feb. 23 - Flying to the Line/Gold Included/Bonnet Trifecta ($112.00)
Feb. 25 - SOUTH AFRICA ($7.50)
Feb. 28 - WINDMILL ($6.00), Trifecta ($63.60)
March 1 - EXPLAIN/JUNGLIST Coupled Entry ($8.00)

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