HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time noon
Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $66,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds
Matty's G Force - If every race today is this tough, buckle up your seat belts; closed fast in debut after a green beginning.
El Martillo - Seems to be moving in the right direction for Baffert; doesn't hurt that leading rider Garrett Gomez is up.
Long Shot - Meetingwithdestiny
Race 2 - 1 mile (turf), $90,000 China Doll, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Gorgeous Goose - Perfect 2-for-2 wins on turf including a minor stakes; she may be this good, we'll find out today.
Miss Fremont - Like her MSW win going long on turf; she is bred to be any kind so I'll give her a chance to move forward.
Long Shot - Sweeter Still
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $67,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Talkin to Mom Roo - Dropped to $40k despite winning 2-of-3 recent starts; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.
Medzendeekron - Has more than enough back class to handle these and offers value at 9/2 odds; best stride in the lane.
Long Shot - Chhaya Dance
Race 4 - 1 1/2 miles (turf), Purse $73,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Chancellor - Hard to believe this race isn't part of the pick 6; will be part of a cavalry charge to the finish.
Monastery Scandal - He is a different animal on grass and will be higher odds than his morning line; an impossible heat.
Long Shot - Foreign
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds
Roar of Eagles - Visually impressive debut win rallying from last to first; claimed by Craig Lewis, he keeps Solis up.
Quityerbellyaching - Bejarano had his choice of mounts and landed here; Sadler charge has shown some level of consistency.
Long Shot - Outlaw Jones
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $64,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds
B R's Girl - She could be awful tough if she draws in off the also eligible list; wide post and late speed are benefits.
Artistic Talent - Beaten favorite last time still is better than she's shown so far; Ramon Dominguez will only help her.
Long Shot - Boston Cat
Race 7 - 1 1/8th miles, $200,000 Sham, 3-year-olds
Colonel John - He has the pedigree and connections to be a serious KY Derby contender; this may be his breakthrough race.
El Gato Malo - Perfect trip win in last really didn't answer any questions; the half won't be 44.1, we'll test his mettle.
Long Shot - Reflect Times
Race 8 - 1 mile (turf), $300,000 Kilroe Mile Handicap, 4-year-olds and up
War Monger - A flat mile may turn out to be his best grass distance; saves all the ground under Kent Desormeaux.
Out of Control - Been away 5-months, typically not a problem for a Bobby Frankel charge; tactical speed to sit a trip.
Long Shot - Storm Military
Race 9 - 1 1/4 miles, $1 million Santa Anita Handicap, 4-year-olds and up
Go Between - Suspect he doesn't get credit for his Sunshine Millions win; loves synthetic surface, has a powerful late kick.
Student Council - Another proven commodity over the synthetic surfaces; short horse last time, will be much tighter today.
Long Shot - Champs Elysees
Race 10 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), Purse $73,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Blanche Sweet - Square price on one of the late cavalry charge horses; she should love the additional distance today.
Forest Melody - If anyone is capable of stealing this on the front end, it's this filly; clever rating by Tyler Baze.
Long Shot - Loh Collado
Race 11 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $64,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds
Wine on the Porch - Won't be shocked if this pick 6 carrys over to Sunday; second time out Mitchell is a powerful angle.
Lotacat - Solid debut makes him the lukewarm morning line choice; if he improves even a step, he'll be right there.
Long Shot - Dakota Phone
Best Bet - Gorgeous Goose (race 2)
Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/5/$27.60; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 680/155/$1,123.40; Long Shots, 336/45/$563.80; Best Bets, 37/12/$51.20
