On January 15, 2024, Santa Anita Park hosted an exhilarating Allowance Optional Claiming race. It was exclusively designed for three-year-olds and had a purse of $67,000. The race unfolded over a rapid six-furlong stretch on the meticulously maintained turf track. Starting at 4:29, the horse racing transpired under ideal conditions, with the track marked as firm. This set the stage for a high-stakes competition, urging the contenders to showcase their utmost capabilities.
As the thundering hooves resonated down the track, the Winning Time of 1:10.41 highlighted the remarkable speed and agility of the triumphant contender. The competitive essence of Allowance Optional Claiming races infused an additional layer of excitement into this captivating event. However, in a surprising turn of events, a seasoned 3-year-old horse emerged victorious, showcasing prowess and experience in a manner that captivated the audience.
Victory lights up Santa Anita Park’s night of horse racing
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In a recent post on X, TVG unveiled a captivating glimpse of the Santa Anita track. It showcased the electrifying races that unfolded beneath the California sun. The Straight Forecast (SF) reached $53.19. The pre-race forecasts featured notable contenders like Beer Money (11/8), Good Lovin (2/1), Salsation (6/1), Immelmann (15/2), Someone Like You (10/1), Winning Big (16/1), Thirsty Thursday (20/1) and Size Does Matter (20/1). However, the race unfolded with a surprise twist. Thirsty Thursday, with odds of 20/1, emerged victorious. It was piloted by jockey Geovanni Franco and trained by Reid France. Despite Beer Money being the favourite, it was Thirsty Thursday who stole the show with a stunning display of speed and determination.
#8 THIRSTY THURSDAY ($59.80) closes out the night with an exhilarating victory in R9 at @santaanitapark as the longest shot on the board! The 3YO Stay Thirsty gelding gets the win for trainer Reid France with @franco_geo in the irons. 🤑 pic.twitter.com/XTDlPTysPJ
— TVG (@TVG) January 16, 2024
The caption beautifully encapsulates the thrilling conclusion of the night at @santaanitapark, proclaiming, “#8 THIRSTY THURSDAY ($59.80) closes out the night with an exhilarating victory in R9 at @santaanitapark as the longest shot on the board! The 3YO Stay Thirsty gelding gets the win for trainer Reid France with @franco_geo in the irons”.
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Surprises on the podium
While Thirsty Thursday emerged as the triumphant surprise, the favoured Beer Money secured the second position. It carried expectations at 11/8f odds and had the skilled Juan Hernandez in the saddle. Adding to the tapestry of the race, Immelmann claimed the third spot, with odds set at 15/2. Jockey Kyle Frey was in control, contributing to the diverse and intriguing narrative of the event.
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However, Good Lovin, at 2/1 odds, claims the fourth position under jockey Flavien Prat. Someone Like You, with odds at 10/1, secured fifth, skillfully handled by Jose Valdivia Jr. Winning Big, boasting 16/1 odds, took the sixth spot under jockey Tiago Pereira. Size Does Matter, positioned seventh at 20/1, was ridden by Diego Herrera. Salsation, at 6/1 odds, rounded off the pack in eighth place, guided by Antonio Fresu. The varied performances of these contenders added depth and excitement to the race at Santa Anita Park.
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