We have a special horse racing day on Monday for Presidents Day. No, there isn’t much for stakes racing, but nine racecourses are open for wagering, which is nice to begin the week.
The biggest race tracks on the docket are Santa Anita Park, Oaklawn Park, and Aqueduct Racetrack. They typically don’t run on Monday, but the long weekend brings early weekday racing with it.
The $400,000 Risen Star Stakes is in the books at Fair Grounds Race Course, with Epicenter going in to win the first 50-point race. We’re going to Oaklawn Park and Santa Anita Park on Presidents Day.
Santa Anita is offering eight races worth $464,000 in prize money. Head below for our best Santa Anita Park picks for February 21, 2022.
Race 1
Post Time: 12:30 p.m. PST
Distance:1 Mile
Purse:$40,000
The first race at Santa Anita Park covers a mile on the turf for a $40,000 purse. This race on the grass will likely see Secret Club and Nerves of Steel should be involved heavily in the stretch run.
Secret Club is a two-time winner through 14 races, finishing 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd in his previous five outings. In his most recent effort, he showed 3rd on January 2 for a $40,000 purse.
That was a decent run from Secret Club after placing 2nd behind Midnight Jostar by 2 ¼ lengths for a $40,000 prize. Nerves of Steel will provide the biggest test.
Nerves of Steel is 2 for 12 in his career and has finished 3rd, 2nd, 2nd in his previous three attempts. He is coming off a good attempt, placing 2nd behind Solo Animo by a head for $40,000 on January 2.
He was ¾ lengths ahead of Secret Club in that one. Nerves of Steel placed 2nd behind Team Merchants by 1 ½ lengths in the $100,000 Let It Ride Stakes.
In a rematch against Secret Club, Nerves of Steel should have enough to win another on Monday.
Race 5 – Spring Fever Stakes
Post Time: 2:38 p.m. PST
Distance: 6 Furlongs
Purse:$100,000
The $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes is one of two $100,000 races at Santa Anita Park on Monday afternoon. Expect Super Game and Becca Taylor to have some involvement in the stretch run.
Super Game is 3 for 16 in her career, finishing 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 11th in her last five assignments. The filly got home on December 26 in a $69,000 event by 5 lengths.
Super Game tried the $150,000 Sunshine Millions and that didn’t go as smoothly. She finished 11th and will drop down to a $100,000 stakes race.
Becca Taylor is a perfect five for five in her career through her career. She has a stakes win in the $150,000 Evening Jewel Stakes on April 3.
Following that solid 2 ¼ length win, Becca Taylor made it five straight wins to open her career with a 4 length $31,000 win on January 29. Back to the stakes level, Becca Taylor should still handle this work.
Race 7 – Tiznow Stakes
Post Time: 3:39 p.m. PST
Distance:1 Mile
Purse:$100,000
The $100,000 Tiznow Stakes is the second stakes event at Santa Anita Park. If you’re looking for a winner, Brickyard Ride and Touchdown Brown have to be worth a look.
Touchdown Brown is 2 for 10 and has to be involved versus this field. He’s finished 1st, 2nd, 4th in his previous three outings, with a chance to do better this time.
Touchdown Brown was a $72,000 winner on August 26. That was impressive, though he failed to follow up, placing 2nd behind Barbwire by a half-length for $63,000 on October 23.
In his latest attempt, Touchdown Brown was 4th in a $69,000 assignment. He needs better, but Touchdown Brown is capable of doing it.
Brickyard Ride is 9 for 19 in his career, and is 1st, 5th, 9th, 1st in his last four races. In his most recent attempt, Brickyard Ride beat Positivity by 1 ¾ lengths in the $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint on January 15.
This looks like a good spot for Brickyard Ride to get into the winner’s circle for the second consecutive time.
