Santa Anita Park Picks | Sensational Star Stakes 2024

An evenly matched group of seven older statebreds will battle in Sunday’s feature at Santa Anita Park, the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course.

First post time for an eight-race card will be 1 p.m. Admission gates will open at 11 a.m.

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Catalina Eddy is the most lightly raced in the field and could possess the most upside. The 4-year-old colt by Square Eddie most recently won an open first-level allowance down the hill Feb. 24. It was his third win in eight starts for trainer Craig Lewis.

In Catalina Eddy’s only previous stakes try, he finished off-the-board when going 1 1/8 miles in the Unusual Heat Turf Classic for statebreds here Jan. 13. He has $157,810 in earnings for owner Rainmaker Racing LLC.

Jockey Kazushi Kimura, who was aboard for the allowance win and the Turf Classic, again has the call on Catalina Eddy.

Set to make his 4-year-old debut for trainer Blaine Wright is Clovisconnection, who ships south from Golden Gate for trainer Blaine Wright. Clovisconnection ended last year with consecutive wins in the Robert Dupret Derby at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Santa Rosa in August and Harris Farms Stakes at six furlongs on dirt at Fresno in October.

By Vronsky, Clovisconnection is a homebred for William L. Hedrick and Judy Hedrick. He is 7-1-0 in 10 starts with $249,130 in earnings. Regular rider Willliam Antongeorgi III also comes south to ride Clovisconnection.

Top jockey Flavien Prat takes the call on Disko Tribute for trainer Craig Dollase. The 5-year-old Tom’s Tribute gelding recently had a two-race win streak snapped when third in a five-furlong starter allowance on turf here March 9.

Disko Tribute is owned by Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan, Michael Jarvis and Michael Weseloh. His record is 5-4-3 in 19 starts with $147,058 in earnings.

Lovesick Blues lures the services of Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez. Trained by Steve Miyadi, the 6-year-old gelding by Grazen steps in with statebreds after earning a series of minor awards in open second-level allowance turf sprints.

Lovesick Blues races as a homebred for Nick Alexander. He is 7-5-6 in 30 starts with $352,968 in earnings.

Stakes winner Coalinga Road makes his first start since last June for trainer Carla Gaines. Last year, Coalinga Road won the Unusual Heat Turf Classic and placed in three other statebred stakes. He is 0-for-1 on the hillside turf course.

Owned by Harris Farms, Coalinga Road is a 7-year-old gelding by Quality Road. He is 4-8-5 in 23 starts with $428,234 in earnings. Jockey Geovanni Franco has the mount.

Johnny Podres returns to the stakes ranks after winning a $50,000 claimer at six furlongs on turf here March 1. Trained by Librado Barocio, the 7-year-old Grazen gelding previously was beaten three lengths when finishing sixth in the Clockers’ Corner Stakes on the hillside turf course Jan. 28.

Johnny Podres is owned by David A. Bernsen and Mia Familia. His record is 7-8-6 in 35 starts with $362,870 in earnings. Jockey Umberto Rispoli will be aboard Johnny Podres for the first time.