Saturday's Best Bet: Twist looks strong in City of Hope Mile
Saturday’s tenth race at Santa Anita Park is the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile for 3-year-olds and up traveling one mile on the turf course. The scheduled post time is 8:45 p.m. EDT.
Click here for Santa Anita entries and results.
No. 7 Twist (3-1) ran well in his first two starts in this country in the optional-claiming ranks. He he an uncomfortable trip under in the Del Mar Mile on Sept. 2, and he reunites with his winning rider Hector Berrios in his third start after a layoff. A stalking trip is expected.
No. 4 Hong Kong Harry (5-2) is versatile and consistent for Phil D’Amato, but he was better last year. He was 5-for-6 in 2022 and is winless in three tries this year. He showed decent late interest in a show finish in the Shoemaker Mile on May 29. Juan Hernandez rides him for the first time and he can win this on his best day.
No. 8 Cathkin Peak (4-1) was my value top choice in the Del Mar Handicap on Sept. 2 and he did not do enough late at 8-1 that day. I was concerned about the added ground last time. He fired exacta shots in all five local turf starts and he likes this flat-mile distance. He was a close second in this event last year and might move up in his third start after a long layoff. He reconnects with his winning rider Umberto Rispoli.
No. 5 Astronomer (6-1) won his last three flat mile turf starts. Antonio Fresu got acquainted with him in a 21-1 upset at Del Mar on Aug. 19, and he could easily maintain sharp form in his third start of the year.
Get Jarrod’s Santa Anita analysis.
Wagers
No. 7 to win
Exacta 4-7/4-7-8
Trifecta 4-5-7/4-5-7/8
Recent Best Bet winners
Sept. 2 – Motorious ($7.20)
Sept. 3 – Conclude/Maltese Falcon/Almendares trifecta ($65)
Sept. 4 – Micro Share ($8.60), trifecta ($67)
Sept. 5 – Pemaquid Pete ($4.80), exacta ($7.80)
Sept. 6 – Warrior's Payoff ($8.40)
Sept. 10 – Endlessly ($7.60), trifecta ($163.80)
Sept. 11 – Gunoe ($7), trifecta ($142.60)
Sept. 19 – Dewey Doit ($8.80), trifecta ($91.40)
Sept. 20 – Giant Mischief ($4.80)
Sept. 21 – Mariachi ($9)
Sunday – Honor D Lady/Ancient Peace exacta ($104.60)
Monday – Rosa ($9), exacta ($32)
Wednesday - Tiger Moon ($5.70)
Friday - Kirstenbosch ($15)