2022 Top Stakes to Bet On: 4 Graded Races at Santa Anita Highlights Weekend

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After taking a week off, Santa Anita Park resumes racing this week. The Great Race Place showcases top horses on Saturday with four graded events. Also, Keeneland ends their meet on Friday with the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes. Check out more information for five of this week’s top thoroughbred stakes races.

Also, check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Friday, Apr. 29th to Saturday, Apr. 30th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds & Picks April 25th Edition

Keeneland | Friday, April 29

Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes – 1 ½ miles on turf – 4 year old fillies & mares

War Like Goddess hasn’t raced since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. No doubt, the Bill Mott trained runner will go off the chalk in this, just like she did when winning the 2021 Bewitch Stakes last year.

But War Like Goddess is a year older and her form may not be close to what it was in 2021. Core Values, Family Way, Luck Lune, and any other who wishes to test the Goddess early will have a shot to win.

Santa Anita Park | Saturday, April 30

Grade 3 Kona Gold Stakes – 6 ½ furlongs dirt – 3 year olds and up

Doug O’Neil trained Strongconstitution finished sixth in the Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup day. Horses that return from Dubai don’t always show their best. If you play this race, consider Shooters Shoot a legit favorite and study signs that Strongconstitution will bounce back with a top effort. Then, use one of those as the key horse on your exotic tickets.

Grade 2 Charlie Wittingham Stakes – 1 ¼ miles turf – 3 year olds and up

Talk about a wide-open race. 14 horses are probable. 4 more horses, Avenue, Gold Phoenix, Gregdar, and Hong Kong Harry are trying to get into the race. The three chalks should be Going to Vegas, Beyond Brilliant, and Subconscious. Handicap every runner before deciding on the winner.

Grade 2 California Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – 3 year olds and up

John Shirreffs, Express Train’s conditioner, is as smart as it gets. Instead of shipping his top handicap horse all over the country to compete against the best of the best, he keeps Express Train comfortable in his barn at Santa Anita and then picks up paychecks every few weeks. It will be difficult for any runner to beat Express Train in the California Stakes. Only beat the Train if you feel like you’ve found the right horse.

Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – 4 year old fillies & up

Like the Charlie Wittingham, the Santa Margarita is as competitive as it gets. Blue Stripe could end up going off the chalk. But if you back Blue Stripe to win, that means you believe your pick can beat Clockstrikestwelve, Bellamore, Princess Mo, Queen Goddess, and Varda. So before doing that, make sure to handicap every runner that plans on stepping into the starting gate.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?