1/ST BET Horse Racing Predictions from Santa Anita:

We are excited to announce a renewed partnership with the fine folks and handicappers at 1/ST BET. Jeremy Plonk and Jeff Siegel will be sharing their expertise on a weekly basis to pass along some ponies that they like for races at various tracks around the country, including Santa Anita.

For this Saturday, December 28 article, Jeff Siegel shares everything you need to know for the racing card for opening day at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Race 1: Post: 11:30 PT
Top Selection/Prime Play: 4-Scipio

Forecast: Scipio was extremely well meant in the Cecil B. DeMille S.-G3 even as a maiden but was victimized by a lack of pace and had little chance to catch loose-on-the-lead Clock Tower (final quarter in :23 flat), still doing well to rally for second into the teeth of the race flow. Back with maidens today, the Richard Baltas-trained juvenile should be difficult to contain in a race that, at least on paper, has sufficient pace to compliment his late-running style. The son of Caravaggio always will be susceptible to slow splits – his lack of tactical speed is concerning – but on pure numbers, she’s supposed to beat this field. 

Santa Anita Race 6: Post: 2:04 PT
Top Selection/Prime Play: 6-Motorious.

Forecast: Motorious, a thoroughly genuine top-class grass sprinter, loves the Santa Anita lawn and is equally effective on the flat or, in today’s case, down the Hill. Freshened since narrowly missing in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, the veteran gelding has appeared quite sharp in his recent breezes, so there’s every expectation that he’ll fire his usual big shot. We’ve listed him at 5/2 on the morning line, but he is worth a confident play even at a tick or two lower.