HORSE RACING
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $11,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up
General Dan - Been competitive with this group and is overdue for some racing luck; tactical speed to sit a trip.
Candy Arches - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low level; his race 2-back is fast enough to upset.
Long Shot - Absolute Glory
Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $49,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Minute Limit - Victor Espinoza had choices and opted to ride for John Sadler; her run down the hill in last was good.
Gilded Gem - Tepid chalk in a wide open hillside course sprint; was not disgraced in the grade 1 Santa Monica.
Long Shot - Jehan
Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Capt. Sparrow - Tough trip yet exploded in the stretch for a sharp victory; saves ground inside and fires again.
Point Attended - Interesting trainer switch from A. C. Avila to Humberto Ascanio; class drop, he fits for sure.
Long Shot - My Man Murf
Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up
Megastar - Ran a cropper in last, so Ron Ellis takes the blinkers off; should adapt nicely to this hillside sprint.
Halo's Law - Been running for a price tag, so he appears a lot cheaper; key is Jeff Mullins, who can win with any kind.
Long Shot - Milyone
Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds
Minister d'Oro - Showed solid improvement first out for Doug O'Neill; if he improves a step more, he'll be tough.
Diplo - Tom Bell babies typically improve with race experience; like that Garrett Gomez remains loyal to the cause.
Long Shot - Swiss Currency
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $30,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies, 4-year-olds
Sky Marni - Big race first off the claim by A. C. Avila; tries turf again which can flatter her fast closing style.
Sindyfromsantacruz - Did everything but win last time in a sharp try; blinkers on and Martin Garcia, expect better.
Long Shot - Victory Dancer
Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $48,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Haka - The key may be she's better on synthetics than grass; lots of pace for her to close into.
Fund Raiser - Showed some ability to rate, which will help stalking Woman Warrior; chance to keep improving.
Long Shot - Woman Warrior
Race 8 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), $100,000 Crystal Water Handicap, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
Kalookan Storm - In a race this jammed with early speed, a closer could upset; Joe Talamo sits in arrears and makes one run.
Compari - Strong speedball could duel with the likes of Red Sun and Enriched; we'll see who challenges the great Gomez.
Long Shot - Liberian Freighter
Race 9 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
Cape Finisterre - Big class dropper is clearly the one to beat; any one of his three races are fast enough to win.
Chimu - Leap of faith that Rafael Bejarano rides back for a good reason; figures to run much improved.
Long Shot - Born to Shop
Best Bet - Cape Finisterre (race 9)
Santa Anita Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 0/0/$0; Long Shots, 0/0/$0; Best Bet, 0/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 688/178/$1,159.80; Long Shots, 344/50/$525.40; Best Bets, 42/16/$75.40
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #1 Pious Ashley (4/1) in race 1 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Starforaday ran third at Gulfstream Park paying $2.20 to show. Stats - 42/29/$200.3
