By Joe Quillen
Santa Anita Race 7 – Wilshire Stakes
We rack up the frequent flyer miles today as we head out to the west coast for a stakes race at Santa Anita. Race 7 today is the Wilshire, which was a race that was rescheduled for today after last weekend’s washout. But it is the start of a big weekend of racing on the west coast which will culminate with the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday evening East Coast time.
Today’s race as I said is the Wilshire Stakes which is a stakes race for fillies and mares four years old and up going a mile on the turf. Post time for this rescheduled Grade 3 stakes race is approximately 7:10 pm Eastern.
Favored in this race is the 4 Stay and Scam (3/1 ML) who won the QPW featured Irish O’Brien Stakes back on St. Patrick’s Day. She faces graded stakes company for the first time, but she has won three of her last four. Also, I like turf horses going from the six-and-a-half-furlong hillside course race like the Irish O’Brien was to a mile where speed can hold.
The 6 Nadette (6/1 ML) has run the mile distance the last few times and has been close but has not won. She finished third in the Buena Vista on March 3. She can benefit from a speed duel up front.
The 8 Leisurewear (6/1 ML) was on the lead last time out, but she could be more tactical and not be dueling with the 4 here. But even with being third race off of the layoff, she has a pattern here of tiring in the stretch. Does she get a pass from the last two races since they were going much longer than today?
The 1 School Dance (7/2 ML) ran in the Wishing well and had a mild kick at the end of this race. She is also coming off of the hillside turf to this one-mile race. But the difference with this horse and the morning line favorite is the face that not only has she run the mile distance in the past, she ran them against graded stakes company.
I think what will happen here is Stay and Scam will go for the lead, but the experience of School Dance going two turns will be the difference. I’m calling this 1-4-8-6, and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Good luck everyone!
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