HORSE RACING
TODAY AT OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $40,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds
Tribal Fire - Exiting a much tougher stakes races for this simple MSW; tactical speed to sit a nice trip.
Cabo Chico - Solid debut when favored in an 8-horse field; expect Jerry Hollendorfer babies to improve with racing.
Long Shot - High Success
Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $24,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 2-year-olds
Ranger Heartley - Rafael Bejarano had choices and lands here; could be lone speed in his first 2-turn route race.
Litecorr - Among three exiting their maiden claiming graduation; key for me is Garrett Gomez taking the call.
Long Shot - Swiss Exploit
Race 3 - 5 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Fast Wanda - In a race this awful, I'm inclined to go with a FTS; need not be much from the Doug O'Neill barn.
Spool's Gold - Was well bet in debut despite finishing fourth; need not improve much to get a piece of this.
Long Shot - Gorky's Secret
Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Barbaric - Speedy sort is likely to play catch me if you can; respect live runners from the Ron Ellis barn.
Elusive Destiny - Been away 15-months, but has been working a long time for this; has some ability to rally late.
Long Shot - Joys Last One
Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $37,000, Claiming $62,500, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Salty Sarah - Speed to lead or sit close up to the pace; will like the turf rail out a maximum 30 feet today.
Coatcheck Girl - Claimed by John Sadler, he has an uncoupled entry in here; proven to be better on sod than synthetic.
Long Shot - Dash Dot Dash
Race 6 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Ol'dogtown - Square price on a horse that ran fast enough to win this two races ago; shot in a wide open affair.
Rincewind - Been second three times in a row; runs consistently fast enough to be a part of the number again.
Long Shot - Kalookan Heat
Race 7 - 1 1/2 miles (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $47,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds and up
Itsnotjustagame - Improving horse got derailed in the Del Mar; like the fact he is not on a downward cycle.
Obrigado - Also exits a defeat in the Del Mar; old time has lost a step and this is the start of his descent.
Long Shot - On Fire
Race 8 - 7 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Major Smoke - Dead late closer has improved a lot since claimed by Paul Aguirre; figures to see a fast pace to chase.
Abalanche - Been away 10-months, but has a ton of back class; exits some bullet workouts, watch the tote board.
Long Shot - Pick to Click
Best Bet - Major Smoke (race 8)
Santa Anita Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/5/$22.00; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/2.80
Santa Anita Totals - 264/67/$429.40; Long Shots, 133/23/$247.60; Best Bets, 16/9/$37.20
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #4 Mr. Madison (5/1) race 1 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Soda Pop Kid was scratched at Belmont Park. Stats - 152/113/$856.50
