JC / Railbird

Santa Anita Archive

A Picture Worth $106.80

It’s rare to see a Bob Baffert trainee go to post at odds anything like 52-1, rarer still to see such a longshot win like Air Commander did in today’s San Fernando Stakes: The 4-year-old Point Given colt, making his third start off a freshening following a second place finish in last year’s San Felipe, stalked Johnny Eves into the stretch, then dueled to the wire, prevailing by the narrowest of noses. Favored Tiago finished third while gaining in the stretch, proving again he prefers greater distance than the 1 1/16 miles he had to run this afternoon. Props to DRF handicapper Dan Illman for picking the upset winner during the OTB channel’s live handicapping show. Nice work, Dan!

Posted in Santa Anita on January 12, 2008

Santa Anita Cancels

No live racing at the Great Race Place today: Heavy rains overnight have left the so-called all-weather Cushion Track in unsafe condition, much as track officials feared (DRF).

Posted in Santa Anita on January 5, 2008