HORSE RACING

​Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 1/3/21

It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.

Starting at 3:30 p.m. EST, we have 9 races at Santa Anita Park. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)

A G Indy, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2

Race 5 is a Claiming race for older fillies and mares going 1 mile on the turf. The top pick by numberFire’s projections is favorite Lucky Peridot (2/1) followed by main challenger A G Indy (5/2).

A G Indy has been off seven weeks but has some good morning works in place. She finished second last time out with a career-best speed figure (93) while running on the lead and losing by a neck to the favorite. Jockey Abel Cedillo rides again.

Lucky Peridot has two wins in 18 starts with her last victory more than 18 months ago. However, EPO trainer Peter Miller brings her back off a dirt race with the meet’s winningest jockey, Juan Hernandez, riding a second time. Consistent mid-to-high speed figures with some in the 90s from the past makes her fit in well here, but she's not a favorite you can count on at the price.

Kalypso and Varda, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 3/1

Race 8 is the $200K Grade II Santa Ynez for older fillies and mares, and it's going 7 furlongs.

The top pick for numberFire is Varda (3/1) followed by Kalypso (5/2) and Queengol (4/1). Horse Racing Radar notes that trainer Bob Baffert has four runners in the race, including Varda and Kalypso.

Varda won a month ago from off the pace as a double-digit longshot, finishing in front of runner-up Kalypso with Nasreddine (6/1) more than five lengths back in third. Kalypso lost a 2 1/2-length lead in the stretch after setting a blistering early pace but can hold up better at this shorter distance with more balanced energy.

Daily Horse Picks (DHP) and Guaranteed Tip Sheet pick Varda and Kalypso first and second, respectively, with Kalypso given the speed advantage by DHP.

Althea Gibson Nu Pi Lambda, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 20/1

Race 9 is an Allowance race for older fillies and mares going 6 1/2 furlongs on the Turf. The algorithm of numberFire projects Magical Gray (5/1) to win if she gets in off the Also Eligible list. Otherwise, numberFire picks Quiet Secretary (5/1) to hit the board and challenge to win.

Guaranteed Tip Sheet has a best bet on Althea Gibson (7/2) and potential board hitters in longshots Nu Pi Lambda (20/1) and All Quality (15/1) with strong stretch rider Joel Rosario in the irons.

Althea Gibson has won 3-of-6 starts, including a month ago with a 96 speed figure. Her only off-the-board finish was a close fourth in a sprint stakes race here.

Nu Pi Lambda is worth including in Exacta and Trifecta wagering. She broke her maiden here in October and ran even faster five weeks ago when finishing fifth.