Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Dec. 30

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 2-year-olds
4 I'm Not Bullish – Has already run 2-turns in a grass race two back; he has some decent speed figures, but as with the winner of this race, must show improvement.
2 Passau – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; showed good speed in his lone dirt sprint, figures to be lone early speed.
Long Shot –3 And Then Some

Race 2 – 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
6 Kiss My Face – Has run some good speed figures in recent races; key is the entire field is camera shy so the winner will likely inherit the lead late.
1 Chicago Angel – With 10 of 18 finishes in the money, she is fairly consistent for this bottom of the barrel class; you want the lead in a no passing zone field.
Long Shot – 2 Just Bookin

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
6 Exposure – HOF trainer Bob Baffert drops this one way down in class; a big edge is her high cheese, expect Martin Garcia to put her on the engine to go wire to wire.
4 Secret Appeal – First leg of the Pick 6 with a carryover of $80K; if you can find a couple of singles, then it's worth a shot, otherwise may be too expensive to play.
Long Shot – 2 My Silver Cat

Race 4 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
3 Odisseia – With the turf rail out 20 feet, I'll give this speedball a chance to upset in this Pick 6 and Pick 5; Flavien Prat should play catch me if you can.
2 Shysheisnot – Tepid chalk in a very difficult leg of these horizontal wagers; has a big class drop going for her, but has been out of the money in all six starts in 2015.
Long Shot – 2 Kadesha

Race 5 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up
1 Carlot Cowboy – Trainer Steve Knapp likes to win on the drop and got this one to sizzle late; like the cut back in distance and the rail draw, repeat race wins this.
3 Formally Wild – Shown huge improvement since claimed by trainer Doug O'Neill four races ago; cuts back in distance too to strike while the iron is hot on this guy.
Long Shot – 9 Saint Prado

Race 6 – 6 ½ furlongs, $75,000 Kalookan Queen, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
5 Sunday Rules – Trainer Philip D'Amato has done a superb job developing and managing this one; has made sure not to get too ambitious in picking good spots to run in.
2 Tara's Tango – Draw a line thru the Cotillion at Parx and this one looks awful tough; jockey Martin Garcia for Mike Smith who had choices and opted for Sunday Rules.
Long Shot – 1 Kiss At Midnight

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
8 Paulina's Love – If any horse looks to be on the engine in here it's this Richard Baltas filly; expect HOF rider Gary Stevens to let out some air and lead wire to wire.
7 Spirit of Ten – Trainer Philip D'Amato has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; this one could get a perfect stalking trip off the speedball favorite Paulina's Love.
Long Shot – 1 Havanna Belle

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds
5 Ceeme Run Wild – Big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot; always fear the main man when he decides to stick around for the finale, he must be live.
1 She's a Warrior – Will try 2-turns for the first time under Mario Gutierrez; has the pedigree to handle the extra furlongs, can save all the ground too from the rail.
Long Shot – 9 Dreamarcher

Best Bet - 6 Exposure (race 3)
Santa Anita Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/2/$24.80; Long Shots, 9/3/$29.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 34/6/$47.80; Long Shots, 18/4/$39.40; Best Bets, 2/0/$0
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #9 Lucky Greatness (6/1) in race 3 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Aquinnah ran out at Gulfstream Park. Simo Final Stats - 2/0/$0; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick