Sunday's Best Bet: Shut Up Michael sounds off in Baffle
Sunday’s 9th race from Santa Anita Park is the $75,000 Baffle Stakes for three-year-olds dashing six and one-half furlongs on the turf course (Post Time 7:34 p.m. EST).
No. 8 SHUP UP MICHAEL (3-1) turned back, stalked the pace, and graduated at six furlongs on turf Jan. 9. Flavien Prat rides back and an outside stalking trip is projected.
No. 1 Maglev (5-2) broke slow and had an uncomfortable trip in a rallying runner-up finish as the beaten favorite in the Eddie Logan Stakes Jan. 2. He was a decent turf sprinter in Great Britain and is a logical contender from off the pace under Rispoli.
No. 3 Smuggler’s Run (3-1) smartly wired California-bred dirt sprinters as the strong favorite in his local bow Jan. 1. Dam has produced two turf winners and Richard Baltas shows a profit dirt/turf. He is the one to catch under Juan Hernandez.
No. 6 Don’t Swear Dave (5-1) switched to turf, pressed outside, and kicked clear in a good looking local turf sprint maiden win Jan. 9. He will probably press outside again.
Get my Expert Santa Anita Park picks for Jan. 30
Wagers:
No. 8 to win
Exacta 8/1-3-6
Exacta 1-3-6/8
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)
Jan. 29 - ESSENTIAL WAGER ($5.80)