Tips to playing Santa Anita's $5 million Rainbow 6
Exciting stakes action awaits horseplayers Monday as does a mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6 at Santa Anita. With a 20-cent base wager, the pool is expected to approach $5 million. Horse Racing Nation’s Horses to Single Report suggests that this is one of several spots where bettors may thin out their tickets by using only Smooth Like Strait.
Returning with a third-place finish last time out in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland, it may be of some concern that the Smooth Like Strait's most recent win actually was in last year’s Shoemaker Mile. A model of consistency in all five efforts since, the competition in this six-horse field seems to be less than what he’s been facing in his last few starts. Flavien Prat ships back to California for the mount.
The Horses to Single Report also recommends No. 3 Warren’s Queen Bee (8-5) in Race 6, but it can be difficult to trust an 0-for-9 maiden. A few first- and second-time starters could be interesting alternatives for those a bit dubious of this favorite that has had multiple chances. In the First-Timer Insights Report, No. 2 No People (15-1) could be a horse to use underneath at least as trainer David Hofmans is winning at a 12 percent rate with his second-time starters. His HRN Impact Score is plus-17 percent, indicating that No People might be ignored on the toteboard but shouldn’t be ignored in exotics.
Maidens go one mile on the turf in Race 7, and No. 5 Super Renee (6-1) is the projected early leader, according to the Pace Report. Making her second start on the turf and third start overall, she stretches out to a route from the six-furlong distance. With a moderate tempo anticipated, Super Renee could take this field from gate to wire.
The third suggested single in the sequence is No. 6 Famous Star (9-5) in Race 8. After debuting on the turf, she ran second in her dirt debut behind Special Ride last time out. The early speed she showed in that start could put her on the lead in here. Jockey Ramon Vazquez retains the mount, and he shows up favorably on the Hot Jockey Report. Vazquez is currently winning at a 17 percent rate on the main track.
On the downhill turf course for Race 9, Power Picks have No. 2 Newpark (6-1) rated in first. Coming in on a two-race win streak, the Ireland-bred Newpark looks to control things on the front end in another slow-paced race. Other contenders will have to hope he takes pace pressure early or that he doesn’t show up with his best effort in order to get the advantage here.
In the finale, the Gamely Stakes (G1), the projected pacesetter is No. 5 Eddie’s New Dream (12-1). If true, this is bad news for No. 1 Going to Vegas (3-1), who has done her best work when allowed to flaunt her speed. No. 6 Going Global (8-5) is the one who has been in great form lately and is 5-for-5 on the Santa Anita turf. Even with some interesting competitors, it would be a surprise if she were to taste defeat on the grass here for the first time.