HORSE RACING

Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 4/25/21

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

Starting at 4:00 p.m. EST, we have 10 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 monitor 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.)

Rhythm and Grace and Miss Bella Ciao, Race 3

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 5/2

We hit on a pair of winners yesterday, including a stakes race favorite followed by a 5/1 shot that returned $11.60. The weekend at The Great Race Place concludes today, and Race 3 is a Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares racing 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

The top pick according to numberFire’s data is Cider Apple (3/1), who has been off for two months and has previously finished second and third in two Santa Anita starts. Rhythm and Grace (7/2) is the projected runner-up but had a stronger speed figure of 87 when finishing third last month. She has since posted a bullet workout and can win this on the front end if she is relaxed and gets into her rhythm.

Miss Bella Ciao (5/2) is a contender with leading jockey Flavien Prat riding and breaking from the rail. She missed the money in her debut last November against males, and she now returns off a layoff for her 2021 debut, with a better run from off the pace projected against fillies and mares.

Minister Shane and Storm Seeker, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 5/1

Race 7 is a Maiden Special Weight for 11 state-bred runners sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. There are several first-time starters, including Auspicious Style (4/1) with top jockey Prat riding for patient trainer Dan Blacker.

The top pick by numberFire’s projection is Storm Seeker (5/1) followed by favorite Ferrariano (7/2) and Minister Shane (5/1), who was green in his debut and running wide. Minister Shane still came home in good time when finishing fifth as one of the favorites and will likely show marked improvement at longer odds with top turf rider Umberto Rispoli looking to get in striking position from an outside post.

Storm Seeker raced on the lead before getting caught late in a sprint three weeks ago. He improved his speed and should be running up front with Ferrariano, who breaks from the rail with strong gate jockey Abel Cedillo riding. Ferrariano finished third here a month ago after running on the lead before getting collared late.

Gator Shining, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2

Race 9 is the $100K Singletary Stakes for three-year-olds racing 1 mile on the turf. numberFire's algorithm projects Petruchio (2/1) and Gator Shining (5/2) to decide this race. Sword Zorro (3/1) is a threat in his second U.S start and is projected to hit the board.

Gator Shining is conditioned by EPO trainer Richard Baltas with Prat in the irons. He should be rallying to catch a projected faster pace after running fast and finishing third in a highly rated Allowance sprint last month. Gator Shining also has a pair of runner-up finishes sprinting on the Santa Anita turf, including losing by a nose.

Petruchio returns to the turf for the first time since winning on the grass last October at Del Mar. He’s finished in the money in 5-of-6 starts but came in sixth in February on the All-Weather track at Golden Gate.