Garrity's Sunday 1.2 Horse Racing Picks include Oaklawn, Fair Grounds, two stakes races at Santa Anita

We have four plays on this January Sunday, one at Oaklawn, one at the Fair Grounds, and a pair of turf stakes for 3-year-olds out West. We expect fast dirt and firm turf for all four, so let’s go.

Oaklawn Park, Race 6, 3:51 pm ET

Starter Allowance, 6 furlongs, Dirt, 4 & Up

This starter allowance, which is restricted to horses who have started for a claiming price of $10,000 or less in the past year, drew a field of eight. We like 8-One for Richie, who comes into this race off a layoff, with his last race at Churchill Downs in June. We are drawing a line through that, as the race was declared a no-contest, with all wagers refunded, after a horse broke through the gate early. One for Richie’s form prior to that was excellent, and that makes him a major threat in this spot. He should also get a good trip from his outside post, sitting just behind the pacesetters, and moving to the front down the stretch. We will bet him to win at 5/2. The bet: Oaklawn Park, Race 6, $40 to win on 8-One for Richie.

Fair Grounds, Race 6, 4:45 pm ET

Allowance/Optional Claiming, 5 furlongs, Turf, 4 & Up

Ten go in this turf sprint in the Big Easy. 3-City Mischief is a strong play: the 4-year-old son of top stallion Into Mischief has run on both dirt and turf, but he’s been far better on grass, and we think he fits at this level and at this distance. Even better is that he should work out a good trip, sitting a bit behind what should be a fast pace, ready to pounce when the field turns for home. We think City Mischief takes this, and will bet him to win at 3-1. The bet: Fair Grounds, Race 6, $40 to win on 3-City Mischief.

Santa Anita Park, Race 8, 6:35 pm ET

$100,000 Blue Norther Stakes, 1 mile, Turf, 3-Year-Old Fillies

A field of seven sophomore fillies lines up for the Blue Norther. It’s a good race. The presence of a couple of one-dimensional speedsters makes a fast pace, and a winner coming from off it, likely: We think that will be 6-Bellabel, an Irish import who hit the board in three of her five starts in Ireland last year. She showed the ability to close strongly in those races, which will serve her well here; and it also helps that she is trained by Phil D’Amato, who is good on turf, and hits at a robust 25% clip with horses making their first North American start. We will bet Bellabel to win at 3-1. The bet: Santa Anita, Race 8, $40 to win on 6-Bellabel.

Santa Anita Park, Race 10, 7:35 pm ET

$100,000 Eddie Logan Stakes, 1 mile, Turf, 3-Year-Olds

The Eddie Logan drew a field of ten. Nine of them have been running in California, but their form looks weak, and this makes another Euro import, 4-Maglev, look very good. He ran five times last year, all at tracks in England, and there’s not a bad effort in the group. We especially like his last start, when he finished fifth, just over two lengths behind the winner, in a Group 2 stakes at Newbury; that makes him appear to outclass his nine rivals here, and to do so by a significant margin. Sometimes this game is tough, but in this case, we think it’s a matter of identifying the best horse, and betting on him, and Maglev looks by far the best. We will play him to win at 5/2. The bet: Santa Anita, Race 10, $50 to win on 4-Maglev.

That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.