Horse Racing picks for Santa Anita race track on Saturday, April 30: Take a ride with Express Train

4:59 pm Santa Anita (Race 3) – Gallovie 2/1 (2-star play)

Put a disappointing seventh over an extended six furlongs here when beaten one-and-a-half-lengths into second having attempted to make all upped to a mile in starter allowance at this venue last month. Drop in trip should prove no issue and with no other obvious speed in the race nor should a draw in gate five. Jockey Ryan Curatolo, on board last time out retains the ride and the six-year-old looks up to delivering a first victory at this venue.

5:29 pm Santa Anita (Race 4) – Brickyard Ride 6/5 (2-star play)

Sets the standard here having completed a hat-trick when making all to win a stakes event over six-and-one-half-furlongs on turf at this track last month. Had previously delivered a wide margin victory over an extended mile and a return to the main track is no issue. Regular pilot Juan Hernandez is again in the saddle and the versatile son of budget sire Clubhouse Ride looks capable of helping trainer Craig Lewis improve on his 18% strike-rate (7/40) at this meet.

6:33 pm Santa Anita (Race 6) – Express Train 4/5 (3-star play)

In great form in recent months with a victory in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter at this venue early last month marking his third consecutive Graded stakes victory. Had today’s rival Stiletto Boy back in third on that occasion and with the shorter distance here no issue and regular pilot Victor Espinoza in the saddle the five-year-old looks up to continuing his dominance in California following a 1:01.80 five furlong breeze here six days ago.

8:04 pm Santa Anita (Race 9) – Oubabe 3/1 (2-star play)

Demonstrated plenty of ability in five starts to date including when finishing runner-up here on his two most recent outings. Delivered a one-and-a-quarter-length second over an extended five furlongs at this venue when racing from the front having drawn the rail here just over a month ago. Narrowly beaten when tracking the pace over six furlongs here prior to that and looks capable of getting off the mark at the sixth attempt for Breeders’ Cup winning handler John Sadler.

9:09 pm Santa Anita (Race 11) – Masteroffoxhounds 2/1 (2-star play)

Showed he is up to competing in Graded company last year when winning the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at this venue in early February. Missed the autumn campaign following a down the field effort at Del Mar in August and showed plenty of promise having been bumped at the start when runner-up in an allowance optional claimer over an extended mile here last month. Selected to deliver a victory having shown improved form in the mornings of late.

Exotic

Early Pick 3