Friday 10/24/25 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-24-2025, 06:38 AM

Santa Anita Late Pick 4, October 24, 2025

October 24, 2025 | By Frank Carulli

SANTA ANITA PICK 4
Friday, October 24, 2025

Favorites dominated in Santa Anita’s Late Pick 4 last Friday, winning the first three legs of the 50-cent wager. But the dialogue could change this Friday, Oct. 24, with large, competitive fields. Here’s a closer look:

SA 6th race (6:30 p.m. EST) -- R AWESOME KID pressed the pace until the odds-on favorite swept by him late on the final turn, but he held third on the stretch-out to today’s distance, finishing 1-1/4 lengths ahead of a rival who posted a front-end victory at this level in his next start. He makes his third start of a cycle for trainer Jeff Mullins, who is 11/4-2-2 with maiden claimers at Santa Anita in 2025. TWILIGHT TIME took the worst of a traffic jam at the break but recovered to show some interest while 6-wide in the stretch off an eight-month layoff. He gets class relief, should appreciate the added ground and is worth using at 10-1 on the morning line. PIO NONO was in tight around the first turn and weaving through early stretch traffic until he found his best stride too late under the same race conditions. He picks up 9 pounds but gets leading rider Juan Hernandez.

SA 7th race (7:03 p.m. EST) -- Morning-line favorite RASTAMAN VIBE is 14/0-0-7 on the Santa Anita lawn, but he gave a good account of himself in a Grade 2 stakes race here last month, making a move into fast middle fractions before flattening out. He won back-to-back turf marathons at Del Mar before that and remains formidable while running for the $50,000 optional claiming price today. CRAZY CAVALIER saved ground to the top of the stretch, closed with a rush while weaving through traffic and galloped out in front of RASTAMAN VIBE while earning the top speed figure of his career. He has five seconds in eight starts at Santa Anita but could be best suited at this distance. MONGOLIAN APPLE makes his first start as a gelding off a solid foundation of workouts since his last start. He can make maximum use of his speed but must handle the class upgrade.

SA 8th race (7:33 p.m. EST) -- COACH CRONIN wore down the dueling leaders and drew away in the stretch to win in his second start this year in 1:09-4/5. He’s 2-for-2 sprinting at Santa Anita and takes on Cal-breds for the first time this year for a 19-percent ‘repeat’ barn. STRONGERTHANBEFORE lived up to his fast workouts and strong debut betting attention, sprinting to a clear lead and hitting a second gear when his closest pursuers ranged up at the quarter pole. He is a must use despite starting from post 13 today. UNCLE CHILLY also draws outside, but he rallied 5-wide to finish second in a long sprint last out to improve to 5/1-3-1 in his last five dirt sprints with an average 74 Beyer. He finished 1-1/2 lengths in front of favored CATMANSUE, who posted two fast workouts at Santa Anita since that September 6 race at Del Mar.

SA 9th race (8:03 p.m. EST) -- Going four-deep in the final leg of the Pick 4. BELLY UP gets top billing. He lacked stretch kick in his last two starts, but he met six-figure grass earner SIR ROCKET last out and finished between favored Betterdaysrcoming (19/4-2-5 on turf, $105k) and two other follow-up winners at the $50,000 level with 90 and 89 Beyers, respectively, in his prior race. OUR BUCKY CHARM gets class relief and wears blinkers and is clearly the one to beat if duplicates his form on the Santa Anita lawn that produced a win and two seconds in the first half of the year with an average 87 Beyer. PLAYER B, first or second in 8 of 13 starts at the same Santa Anita venue, fits well at this level and has a solid work tab for his new barn after seven months away. BROADWAY UNIONS makes the ticket at 12-1 on the morning line. He ran second to next-out, three-peat winner Osage in his lone turf try this year, won going away at 5-1/2F when he was claimed three starts ago, rallied into photo-finish view as the favorite two back and can be excused for a rough trip most recently.

Suggested 50-Cent Ticket
SA 6th Race: 5, 6, 9
SA 7th Race: 2, 3, 9
SA 8th Race: 3, 9, 11, 14
SA 9th Race: 2, 4, 5, 8
Cost: $72

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-24-2025, 06:38 AM

Al Cimaglia: Woodbine Mohawk Park Breeder Crown Pick 4 Analysis

October 24, 2025 | By Al Cimaglia

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Tonight, Breeders Crown weekend begins at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The headliners are 2-year-olds competing in 4 Breeder Crown Finals. The Middle Pick 5 has a $100,000 guaranteed pool. The sequence starts in Race 6, it contains all 4 Finals that
roll in races 6-9, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 6 (8:55 PM EDT)

2-Nezuko Kamado S (5/2)-The last race was a confident victory by a sharp horse and a crafty pilot. Tried a different method last week after winning the previous 3 starts by taking control early on and not looking back. Won't be 8 lengths back at the half pole this week. Should be closer to the leaders at the head of the stretch and has a big chance of continuing the winning streak.
6-Bingo Night (10-1)-Finished a good 3rd in the Elim after being parked to the quarter pole before finding the rail. Then was 1st to pull down the lane, finished gamely considering the trip and could be double-digit odds tonight.
9-Sryoursightshigh (7/2)-The Marcus Melander trainee wasn't driven aggressively in the Elim and was off about 3 weeks between starts. Was caught by a big price (5-Storybook Love) down the lane. This race will set up differently, and the post helps the price.

Race 7 (9:25 PM EDT)

3-Loua Dipa (1/5)-The daughter of Sweet Lou has been great all year winning 8 of 11 starts. But in the last 3 races has looked freakishly good. If the Burke pupil gets a fair trip, she should crush this field and end the season a perfect 4 for 4 at Mohawk.

Race 8 (9:55 PM EDT)

2-Spencer Hanover (6-1)-Apex is the 7/5 chalk for good reason and had last week off. Many will single but my play is to fade and look to cash a profitable ticket. The chalk took last week off while Jason Bartlett provided a sharp drive on this freshman and the Marcus Melander entry sped home in 153.4 with a 26.4 last panel. Could surprise at a solid number.
3-Diabolic Hill (9/5)-The second 9/5 chalk could offer a little value but hasn't been able to solve Apex yet. This colt drew off in its Elim, is sharp as a tack, and in my view is the one to beat.
4-Nix Nacken (8-1)-This is another who could offer a good return, and raced well last week with Yannick Gingras in the bike for the 1st time. Gingras can be aggressive to a fault at times but in this situation he could be a perfect fit for the Melander pupil. This is a one-move type, that should benefit from spicy fractions and could be stalking close to the leader.

Race 9 (10:25 PM EDT)

6-Beau Jangles (8/5)-In my view the Dr Moore trainee is in the same freak category as Loua Dipa. The son of Cattle Wash hasn't left Canada where he is a perfect 11 for 11 on the season and 10 of the wins happened at Wbsb. Would he be as dominant racing on the Grand Circuit...maybe or maybe not? But none of that matters because at Mohawk the colt should remain undefeated when this race is over.

(Race 10) (10:50 PM EDT)

7-Grit N Grace (7/2)-Knows how to dance with this kind and will look for better this week. Regular pilot Jody Jamieson is back at the controls and that could help. Got a bumpy trip in an odd race where longshots raced near the top early on. This mare raced wide past the quarter and ended up 3rd on the rail. Couldn't shake loose down the lane and raced better than the line looked.
8-Seaclusion N (3-1)-Made its debut in North America last week, raced from the back and was buried on the rail turning for the wire. Shook loose and Jene Rene Plante weaved his way down the lane to come a nice 4th. Left from the 10-hole in last and sizzled the back half in 52.3. Should be in play once the wings fold and could win with a smooth trip.

$1 Pick 5

2,6,9/3/2,3,4/6/7,8
Total Bet=$18

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-24-2025, 06:39 AM

Meet the Contenders: Friday’s Valley View Stakes at Keenela

October 23, 2025 | By Jeremy Plonk

Keeneland’s Fall Meet wraps Saturday, but not before a couple of days that include outstanding stakes action. Friday’s card co-features the $250,000 Myrtlewood Stakes and the Grade 2 $400,000 Valley View Stakes.

Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to take part in Friday and Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Bankroll promotions. Bet $25 on the Valley View on Friday and / or the Twilight Derby from Santa Anita on Saturday to earn a $5 bonus to be deposited into your account for the opening of the Breeders’ Cup on October 31.

Let’s meet the contenders for the Valley View Stakes (Race 9):

#1-ADMIT: Jockey John Velazquez has owned the stakes this Fall Meet with a whopping 6 victories, including the Sycamore and Indian Summer on turf. Johnny V’s lone Valley View victory came in 2009. Admit has cashed minor checks this year in the Bourbonette Oaks, Pucker Up and Dueling Grounds Oaks in her tour of Kentucky for Tom Drury Jr.

#2-PLAY WITH FIRE: Hilltop Stakes winner at Pimlico during Preakness week has been a narrow runner-up in a pair of Saratoga stakes since. Trainer Chad Brown won the 2023 Valley View with Surge Capacity, but shockingly took until Day 15 of 17 to notch his first Keeneland Fall Meet victory. Expect the Lake Placid Stakes runner-up to be traveling well late under Flavien Prat.

#3-RAMSEY POND: The red and white silks of Ken Ramsey are represented by this Divisidero filly in search of her first stakes score. Ramsey Pond won a first-level allowance here in the 2025 Spring Meet and was second at Kentucky Downs in her only try since. She was twice listed stakes-placed at Gulfstream this winter.

#4-VIXEN: Vekoma filly has had the misfortune of chasing eventual Grade 1 winners Nitrogen and Lush Lips this spring and summer, but she’s been a consistent casher. Trainer Mark Casse won the Franklin Stakes already at the 2025 Fall Meet on turf with Time to Dazzle. Tyler Gaffalione rides for the first time as Irad Ortiz Jr. jumps to partner with Tabiti on Friday.

#5-STURGEON MOON: Ellis Park’s Audobon Oaks winner has yet to race on turf in 7 starts, a majority of those sprints. Trainer Will Walden’s father, Elliott, conditioned 2003 Valley View winner Dyna Da Wyna. The younger Walden saddled Grade 1 Keeneland Turf Mile winner Rhetorical to a 9-1 upset already this Fall Meet.

#6-CLASSIC Q: Saratoga’s listed Wild Applause Stakes winner rematches with rival Play With Fire. Last effort sprinting at Kentucky Downs was short of her best trip, but didn’t take any step back against excellent sprint filly Shesospicy et al. Trainer Mark Casse looks for a second stakes win of the Fall Meet (Franklin Stakes with Time to Dazzle). Jose Ortiz partners, and 1 of his 2 stakes victories at the current meet did come when teaming with Casse.

#7-SOMETHINABOUTHER: Grade 3 Mazarine winner at Woodbine last fall, she’s danced around the stakes edges this year with 5 second or third-place finishes in 6 starts. Sire Mendelssohn has had much success with his offspring on the Keeneland turf, but this filly did run below par in the ’24 Jessamine in her lone local bid. The Brendan Walsh barn leads all trainers at the 2025 Fall Meet with 4 stakes wins, 3 of those on turf.

#8-REINING FLOWERS: Four times stakes-placed in 7 tries, this John Ortiz trainee will try to get over the hump. Jockey Frankie Dettori aims for a third stakes win of the Fall Meet after capturing the Jessame and Woodford, both on turf. Dettori piloted Poolside With Slim to victory in the 2024 Valley View. Regular rider John Velazquez opted for Admit on Friday.

#9-TABITI: British export was an even third sprinting in the Grade 2 Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs in her US unveiling. She was a multiple Group 3 winner in the UK for Ralph Beckett in 2024-’25. Current skipper Brad Cox’s barn looks for its first stakes win of the Fall Meet. Irad Ortiz Jr.’s 3 stakes wins at the Fall Meet are second-most and he leads the colony in overall victories with a Keeneland riding title in his crosshairs.

#10-STORMY PARADISE: Longshot turf sprinter is 50-1 in the morning line with a pair of Belterra victories on her ledger from 12 starts. The Ed Moger Jr. trainee will get her first stakes test and first 2-turn turf bid since December. Sophie Doyle rides the Get Stormy filly.

#11-TOTALLY JUSTIFIED: Last year’s Grade 2 Jessamine nose runner-up over this course hasn’t been able to find paydirt this season in 5 tries. Her best effort on the campaign was a runner-up in the Grade 3 Regret at Churchill. Trainer Rusty Arnold looks for back-to-back wins in this race, following up on Poolside With Slim a year ago. He also won the Valley View in 2021 with Navratilova. Axel Concepcion has the call.

#12-MAY DAY READY: Top-class filly at age 2 and 3, she won Keeneland’s Grade 2 Jessamine and was runner-up in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf during her freshman season. This year she tallied Saratoga’s Grade 2 Lake Placid in an up-and-down campaign for trainer Joe Lee. Jockey Ben Curtis notched 7-1 and 13-1 stakes wins already at the Fall Meet in scoring the Dowager and First Lady, both on grass.

AES #13-GOLDEN SUNSHINE; 14-YES IT TIZ; 15-NEXT UP: The trio has 3 stakes starts between them, NEXT UP’s second in the Ellis Park Turf the only placing. YES IT TIZ is cross-entered Saturday in a Race 7 allowance.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-24-2025, 06:39 AM

Brian W. Spencer's Daily Picks

Santa Anita Park - Race #5

#9 Nafisa	She's getting pretty short on excuses at this point in time, but she's capable of better than she showed last out during a very tough trip. Baseline stuff fits, and she might be ready to grab this one from close range with a clean go.
#3 Pura Vida Princesa	She's another who can bring something better than her last, but I do worry that she tends to give away ground late in her races, and I think the top choice will find a good spot to keep tabs on her the whole way. No surprises here.
#4 Philippa	There are a lot of tough names on her page already through five starts, and she's an obvious player on paper as she gets over on turf for the first time. That's at least something of a question mark.
Race Summary	Nafisa has lots of room for better today, and I think getting back to her regular stuff might be good enough to handle these. Feels like a pretty strong lean.

Santa Anita Park - Race #7

#5 Mythical Reel	He has faced some decent company over the last year, but I wanted to see something more from him last out while dropping out of the Grade II. Willing to forgive that try from surprisingly far off of it in hopes that he's back to his best today at an OK price.
#9 Rastaman Vibe	Dropper makes a lot of sense based on the two- and three-back scores, and he at least made a decent move into contention before going flat in that Grade II. Price probably reflects all of this...
#2 Mongolian Apple	He has some occasionally dangerous pace, but he feels a touch cheaper than some of these and might find a couple of these too tough today. Might stay for a share.
Race Summary	Mythical Reel has a few races on his page that would keep his nose in the picture late, and I think we'll see something a bit more tactical today than his modest finishing run last time out.

Santa Anita Park - Race #8

#14 Strongerthanbefore	He was pretty sharp in the debut score at Del Mar last month, and he draws well to flash some prompting pace from out here. Lots to like with some potentially interesting upside.
#2 Berlin Wall	He's got some pretty honest finishing form already, and he managed to stay in the frame on the hike last time out. Wouldn't be a surprise from close range.
#6 Frank Bullitt	Would want him on the deeper plays, as his last dirt sprint was the best race of his career, so I'm wondering if the change in footing gives him some hope to wake up.
Race Summary	Strongerthanbefore took a bit of cash and looked legit enough in the debut score, and I feel like any reasonable step forward off that run would be good enough to land this one on the rise.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 10-24-2025, 06:40 AM

Frank Carulli's Daily Picks

Santa Anita - Race #1

#2 INVINCIBLE (6-1)	Changes surfaces, could change to tactics that produced runner-up rally at 6-1/2F.
#1 DAKOTA COUNTRY (5-2)	'Seized control in upper stretch’ of runaway victory last Friday.
#3 SMOOTH SALUTE (7-2)	Good fit at this level, gets ideal set-up, use in gimmick wagers.
Race Summary	INVINCIBLE could be the target in this one-mile turf test, but he could be best suited for an upset bid with a change of tactics. In his previous run on the Santa Anita lawn, he rallied through a tight spot at the eighth pole to finish second at 6-1/2F but was out-kicked by 9-to-5 second favorite Caribbean King (22/3-2-6, $124k on turf). Bet to win and place and play 2-1 and 2-3 exactas.

Santa Anita - Race #2

#5 MY DOMINATOR (10-1)	Beat track bias two back, met quality rivals in latest, worth a price shot.
#4 THE BIG CHEESEOLA (3-1)	Can make good use of his speed again in class-rising repeat attempt.
#3 GYPSY TEARS (2-1)	Broke a step slow, ran evenly at this level while chasing 3-to-5 winner.
Race Summary	Taking a longshot stab on MY DOMINATOR, who rallied to win a long sprint two starts ago at Emerald Downs on a card that produced five wire-to-wire winners, then finished behind hard-hitting Night Time (10-37, $724k) and two next out winners in a starter allowance at Los Alamitos. Bet to win and place and play 5-3 and 5-4 exactas.

Santa Anita - Race #5

#5 SURF SONG (9-2)	Rallied into photo-finish view in her first two grass tests.
#7 STARWOOD (6-1)	Working up a storm since her debut in a ‘key’ race.
#4 PHILIPPA (9-5)	Solid seasonal debut for Baffert 4yo, turf the question.
Race Summary	SURF SONG tries to upstage a pair of runner-up finishes in her first two starts on turf. She ran a scare into the winning favorite at 43-1 odds at today’s distance, then made an inside move from 10th to get up for second at 6F. Bet to win and place and play a 4-5-7 exacta box.