Venue: Santa Anita Park — Arcadia, California
Scheduled Post Time: 1:30 PM PT
Purse: $125,000
Distance: 6½ furlongs (Dirt)
Conditions: California‑bred or California‑sired 3‑year‑olds
Expected Weather Conditions (Inference)
No weather data was provided in the retrieved sources.
Typical early‑April Arcadia conditions:
68–75°F, sunny
Light winds
Santa Anita’s dirt surface typically plays FAST unless rain intervenes
(Weather is an inference, not sourced.)
Field Overview (6 Horses)
PP #1 — Galloping Ghost (CA)
Age/Sex: 3‑year‑old gelding
Weight: 120 lbs
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez
Trainer: Craig A. Lewis
Pedigree: Grazen – Freedom Ride
Recent Finish: 5th in Santa Anita MSW (2/7/26)
Rating: 96 (IrishRacing)
Analysis:
A talented but inconsistent gelding. His MSW effort was respectable, and Hernandez is the top rider at Santa Anita. Needs to break sharply from the rail. Exotics contender.
PP #2 — Fionello (CA)
Age/Sex: 3‑year‑old gelding
Weight: 120 lbs
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Pedigree: Stay Thirsty – My Fiona
Recent Finish: 6th in California Cup Derby (LS)
Rating: 90 (IrishRacing)
Analysis:
A gelding with back‑class but inconsistent form. Fresu is excellent with mid‑pack runners. Needs a pace collapse to threaten. Longshot.
PP #3 — Tommy Norris (CA)
Age/Sex: 3‑year‑old gelding
Weight: 122 lbs
Jockey: Edwin Maldonado
Trainer: Librado Barocio
Pedigree: Stanford – Minster’sadventure
Recent Finish: Won Santa Anita MSW (2/7/26)
Rating: 89 (IrishRacing)
Analysis:
A sharp last‑out winner with strong early speed. Maldonado is one of the best gate riders in California. A major upset threat.
PP #4 — Thirsty Rebel (CA)
Age/Sex: 3‑year‑old colt
Weight: 122 lbs
Jockey: Abel Lezcano
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Pedigree: Stay Thirsty – Argyle Pink
Recent Finish: 4th in San Vicente (G2)
Rating: 98 (IrishRacing) — highest in field
Top Probable Odds: 6/4 favorite
Analysis:
The deserving favorite. His San Vicente (G2) effort was strong against much tougher company. O’Neill excels with California‑bred sprinters. If he breaks cleanly, he is the most likely winner.
PP #5 — Sammy Davis (CA)
Age/Sex: 3‑year‑old gelding
Weight: 124 lbs
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Trainer: John Sadler
Pedigree: Sir Prancealot – Ready for Romance
Recent Finish: 2nd in Santa Anita Allowance Optional Claiming (3/8/26)
Rating: 96 (IrishRacing)
Top Probable Odds: 8/5 second choice
Analysis:
A powerful sprinter with excellent recent form. Sadler’s barn is firing, and Jaramillo is a strong finisher. A top‑two contender.
PP #6 — Southern Melodee (CA)
Age/Sex: 3‑year‑old gelding
Weight: 122 lbs
Jockey: Armando Ayuso
Trainer: Craig Dollase
Pedigree: Smokem – Northern Song
Recent Finish: 8th in Golden Mile (2025)
Rating: 87 (IrishRacing)
Analysis:
A gelding with some back‑class but poor recent form. Needs a major rebound. Deep longshot.
Track Conditions & Recent Form Summary
Santa Anita dirt expected to be FAST (inference).
Thirsty Rebel owns the top rating and best graded‑stakes form.
Sammy Davis and Tommy Norris enter in strong recent form.
Galloping Ghost and Fionello need improvement to contend.
Exacta Recommendations
4 over 3, 5, 1
5 over 4, 3
Trifecta Structure
4 / 3, 5 / 1, 2, 3, 5
5 / 4 / 1, 3
