HORSE RACING
January 6, 2008 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time noon
Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $57,000, Optional claiming $32,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
Angus - Gets a much better post in this small field after breaking from post 11 last time out; tactical speed to sit a trip.
Valiant Effort - Gets class relief after a bad non-effort in the California Cup Classic; his race two back is good enough.
Long Shot - Sir Bell
Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Knoblock - Looked like he enjoyed being a late closing sprinter last time out; parking lot post OK in an elongated sprint.
Scottish Diamond - Bejarano figures to ride with a lot more patience than P Val; could be dangerous if allowed to relax.
Long Shot - High Investment
Race 3 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 24 feet), $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Wait a While - Not sure if Santa Anita will race today, staying on turf is almost an impossibility; tries the Cushion track.
Costume - Frankel is always dangerous, no matter how his horses look like in the Daily Racing Form; will make her move late.
Long Shot - Sohgol
Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Arboreta - FTS from the Frankel barn, has typical outstanding pedigree; main man Bejarano rides, just watch the tote board.
Interior Design - Showed definite improvement in her second career start; Gomez has been riding first call for Harty.
Long Shot - Skianis Girl
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds
Lucky Honey - Leap of faith that Gomez jumping on this long shot means something; suspect he'll sit back and make one run.
Black Mallou - Gutty win was overturned in a DQ by the stewards; Bejarano takes over the speedy part of the favored entry.
Long Shot - Ford Island
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Whatwerewethinking - Sliding down the claiming ladder to her career low level; closer in a race jam packed with early speed.
Lockitup - Mare is reaching the now or never class very soon; she runs well enough, but doesn't seem real keen on winning.
Long Shot - Early Anna
Race 7 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Madame Kiawah - Logical chalk with Gomez on and the blinkers off; beaten favorite in last, she has more ability than that.
Naturally Perfect - Leap of faith that a Mullins baby, second time out, will improve; Potts won a Turf Paradise stakes Saturday.
Long Shot - Renees Beauty
Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Toll Road - Ran like a short horse returning off a 9-month hiatus; switch to Talamo, McAnally charge will be tighter here.
Lochinvar's Gold - Logical chalk ridden by Gomez, who else; been away 8-months, my fear is this race is for practice.
Long Shot - Little Boss Chick
Race 9 - 7 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Looks Great - At this bottom level, the less career starts the better; 5-YO took betting in his debut and ran pretty well.
Oakland Avenue - Tepid chalk in a wide open Super High Five race; monster trainer change to Ellis, one of the better ones.
Long Shot - Oh I Tripped
Best Bet - Madame Kiawah (race 7)
Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 12/5/$31.20; Long Shots, 7/2/$25.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$9.00
Santa Anita Totals - 130/33/$239.20; Long Shots, 67/12/$125.20; Best Bets, 8/3/$18.00