2019 Awesome Again and Rodeo Drive Picks and Analysis at Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita Park will host the Breeders’ Cup in early November, but before then, the Arcadia, California, track still has a few tricks up its sleeves. Several of the best horses in the nation will be on hand to prepare for the World Championships this Saturday, September 28, 2019.

The action includes two Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events – the Rodeo Drive (Filly & Mare Turf) and the Awesome Again (Classic) – along with the John Henry Turf Championship, which could see one or more runners head to the Longines Turf.

A total of four nonrestricted stakes races will be held at Santa Anita Park on Saturday. Take a closer look at each one:

Race 7: $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2), 3YO+, 1 1/4 Miles (Turf)

A wide-open edition of the John Henry features the return of #5 United (3/1), who won his most recent effort over the Del Mar turf against allowance/optional claiming foes. One race prior, he was a closing second in the Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2) over the same course and distance. In that effort, he clipped heels as he traversed the dirt crossing, an action he can ill afford to repeat here. Top west coast rider Flavien Prat is back in the saddle for the third straight time.

TOP PICK: #3 Cleopatra’s Strike (7/2)

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Race 9: $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1), 3YO+ Fillies & Mares, 1 1/4 Miles (Turf)

Multiple graded stakes winner #2 Beau Recall (9/5) headlines a group of six looking to qualify for the Breeders’ Cup Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1) in early November. Since changing to the Brad Cox barn at the end of 2018, the Irish-bred Beau Recall has four wins and two seconds in six starts, including the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) last time out at Del Mar. She is winless in three starts at this distance, so jockey Drayden Van Dyke will have to work out a smart trip if she hopes to end her day in the winner’s circle.

TOP PICK: #2 Beau Recall (9/5)

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Race 10: $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes (G1), 3YO+, 1 1/8 Miles (Dirt)

The nation’s top-ranked older male will make his final Breeders’ Cup Longines Classic (G1) preparations when #4 McKinzie (4/5) enters the gate. The 4-year-old son of Street Sense has finished worse than second only once in 12 career starts, with his lone off-the-board finish coming when he finished 12th in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. The Bob Baffert pupil has three wins and three seconds in six starts over the local California oval and enters after earning a career-best 111 Beyer for winning the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

TOP PICK: #4 McKinzie (4/5)

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Race 11: $75,000 Unzip Me Stakes, 3YO Fillies, 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf)

Saturday’s card culminates in the day’s best betting event when 12 sophomore fillies enter the nightcap. The California-bred #2 Apache Princess (3/1) will hope to avenge her disappointing 11th-place effort last time out while traversing 1 1/8 miles. Cutting back in distance should greatly benefit this daughter of Unusual Heat, who earlier this year took home the Sweet Life Stakes (G3) in a wet/fast off-turf event. Leading rider Flavien Prat hops aboard the Keith Desormeaux trainee for the first time.

TOP PICK: #5 Miss Hot Legs (8/1)

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