Horak: How to bet Santa Anita's American Pharoah, Chandelier
The 2-year-olds take center stage on opening Friday at Santa Anita Park, and Bob Baffert is set to saddle the favorites. First up is the Chandelier Stakes (G1) for fillies, and Bast is strictly the horse to beat. Eight Rings, the barn's American Pharoah Stakes (G1) contender, ducked in and threw his rider as the overwhelming choice last time. He looked sensational in his debut and tries to right the ship in his first start around two turns.
Before deciding how to bet the Chandelier and American Pharoah Stakes, let’s meet the contenders.
Race 5: Chandelier Stakes (6:10 p.m. ET)
The Favorite
#4 Bast (3-5) is going to be tough to beat in this spot. She broke slow and raced wide in a clear place finish in her 5.5-furlong debut on Aug. 11. In her second start in the Del Mar Debutante (G1), she added blinkers, stalked the pace and emphatically turned the tables on Inspiressa at seven panels on Aug. 31. Bob Baffert’s $500,000 purchase is bred to go this far and should win again under her new rider John Velazquez.
Exotics Contenders
#1 Been Studying Her (9-2) won both sprint starts, including the Generous Portion Stakes in California-bred company on Aug. 28. She drilled a Los Alamitos bullet for this Sept. 28 and is a threat if she handles two turns.
#2 K P Dreamin (6-1) finished well behind Bast in her sprint debut Aug. 11, but she stretched out and scored in a one-mile maiden race at Del Mar on Aug. 29. She is the only entrant with two-turn experience.
Wagers
Exacta 4-2
Trifecta key 4/1-2
Race 8: American Pharoah Stakes (7:40 p.m. ET)
The Favorite
#3 Eight Rings (9-5) could not have been more impressive in his sprint bow Aug. 4 at Del Mar. Based on that strong debut, he was the 1-2 favorite in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), but he ducked in early and dumped jockey Drayden Van Dyke. The $520,000 son of Empire Maker adds blinkers, adds east coast John Velazquez and shows three local works for this. Bob Baffert has strong stats with his first route starters, and this one is bred to handle two turns. He can win this if he runs a straight line.
Value Win Contender
#4 Express Train (4-1) was dusted by Eight Rings in his sprint bow, but he was miles best of the rest that day. He stretched the second time out and aired as the chalk in a flat mile maiden race at Del Mar on Aug. 28. Mike Smith rides back for John Shirreffs -- Smith may have had the option to ride Eight Rings for Baffert -- and his two-turn experience could make all the difference.
Exotics Contenders
#1 American Theorem (5-1) rallied to win his sprint debut as the favorite at Del Mar on Aug. 31. He removes blinkers, and the son of American Pharoah tries to win his sire's namesake race.
#5 Storm the Court (15-1) was wiped out from the rail post by Eight Rings in the Del Mar Futurity. He looked good in his debut, and Flavien Prat stays.
#7 Shoplifted (6-1) cruised in his 5.5-furlong debut at Saratoga on a fast track, and he was second to his runaway stablemate Basin in the slop in the Hopeful (G1) back on Sept. 2. Joel Rosario rides back for Steve Asmussen.
#9 Collusion Illusion (5-1) won both sprint starts at Del Mar, and his number improved in the Best Pal (G2). The $300,000 purchase will probably stalk the pace from the outside post, and Joe Talamo has very good stats with Mark Glatt.
Wagers:
#4 to win
Exacta 4/1-3-7
Exacta 1-3-7/4
Trifecta 3-4/1-3-4-7/1-3-4-5-7-9