HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds

Lunch Time - One among many turning back in distance from 2-turn routes to this elongated sprint; best stride comes late.

Distinctive Afleet - Suspect will be the early speed in a pedestrian looking pace; Michael Baze nurses the early fractions.

Long Shot - Stormy Game

Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds

Zensational - Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry to make this race go; this colt has always been highly regarded.

Vaundell - Excellent debut win, will be severely tested by the chalk; Bejarano figures to sit and make one run.

Long Shot - Ventana

Race 3 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

You Wood - Tepid chalk in an ugly looking race; reputation bet on Vladimir Cerin and Rafael Bejarano.

Zephaniah - Beaten favorite did not run nearly as well as his race two back; needs to rebound to have a big chance.

Long Shot - Capt. Pike

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up

Prize Play - Like the turn back in distance from 2-routes for the hill; suspect will sit in arrears and make one run.

Figeac - Speedball will love the turf rail out 30 feet; Victor Espinoza figures to send hard and keep sending.

Long Shot - Hiya Silver

Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $20,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Purrfectly Fitting - Stretching out after two good sprint tries; third start off a 5-month hiatus could be her best.

Mudd Sweat 'n Tears - Was overmatched last time off the claim by Jack Carava; he now drops her down into a suitable spot.

Long Shot - Blame the Wine

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Maiden claiming $75,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Entabeni - Ran well last time first for a price tag; she started slowly but was running well in the lane.

Slews Copy - Ran fine in debut and was claimed by Mike Mitchell; if she shows logical improvement, will be tough.

Long Shot - Michael's Kiss

Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Unworldly Heat - Rafael Bejarano had choices and lands here for Denise Beuer; it's not the trainer, it's the horse.

Witchy Meeting - Garrett Gomez is more than willing to step in for Bejarano; closer is right there every time.

Long Shot - Dish the Dirt

Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Just Heat - Has improved since claimed by John Sadler three races ago; should relish a soft pace of this route.

Wolfgang - Tepid chalk was second best in this condition last time; figures to get a similar trip from the wide out.

Long Shot - Number One Edition

Best Bet - Just Heat (race 8)

Santa Anita Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/5/$23.80; Long Shots, 8/2/$21.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80

Santa Anita Totals - 1,079/254/$1,776.60; Long Shots, 530/83/$947.00; Best Bets, 63/25/$91.20

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #4 Rises the Phoenix (5/1) in race 5 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Heresyasign was scratched at Delta. Stats - 35/28/$195.30