Golden Opportunities

Because one bettor was able to pick the final six winners at Santa Anita on Sunday, there is no hefty pick-six carry-over awaiting as the Arcadia track begins another week of racing this afternoon.

There is, however, a modest two-day carry-over of $27,458 at Golden Gate Fields, and the Northern California track has some competitive races today.

A total of 62 horses are entered in the pick-six races and the smallest field in the sequence is nine, in the third, fourth and eighth races at Golden Gate.

The third is a six-furlong sprint for $4,000 claimers who have not won twice and the top contender is Bullet Buck, who has been first or second in four of six races at Golden Gate. Handsome Son comes off a solid third in his most recent effort and has the benefit of the hot-riding and talented apprentice Kevin Krigger.

Window B, who has won three of his last four, will make his first start for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in the fourth and is scheduled to race coupled with Mining For Fun. The six-furlong race also includes Chicago Joe, a speedster who was claimed for $40,000 last month, and Gotta Go To Work, a tough-luck loser at 13-1 on Dec. 17 at Golden Gate.

The fifth and sixth are bad maiden claimers, the seventh is a turf route for older fillies and mares. Gin Running, who often disappointed down south, will try to win for only the second time and will be ridden by Russell Baze. The mare to beat is Schnitzel, who has won three times in six tries on the local turf but was overmatched in her most recent race on Dec. 8.

The card and the pick-six are completed by a six-furlong dash for $12,500 claimers. In a race that should have a quick early pace, Court Shenanigans could be the right horse. The late runner has three seconds and a victory in his last four starts. In his last appearance, he was second to the streaking First Stringer.

Race of the day: The seventh at Santa Anita is only a classified allowance race on the turf, but it has almost a stakes-quality field. Trainer Ron McAnally, who won the San Gorgonio on Sunday with Tout Charmant, will try for another grass victory with the entry of Kalatiara and Old Money. Bobby Frankel also entered a pair, Twin Set and Rolly Polly.

Who’s hot: Elvis Trujillo. The teenage apprentice has won with six of his first 23 mounts at Santa Anita. He is scheduled to ride Free Thoughts in today’s third and Hezacatseye in the fifth.

Who’s not: The field in today’s sixth at Golden Gate. The 14 original entrants are a combined 0 for 115.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the fourth using Blastoise on top with Saying Grace, Dellavallade and Scattered Jewels in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/41. Money: Previous day/meet total: $7.20/$264.40. Total money bet: $258.