Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, December 31

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $20,000, 2-year-olds

7 Known Defense – Has two career wins while all of his foes have just one; has good early speed, but there is not a lot be scared of the first furlong or two.

4 Carlos Dangerous – Was ridden six races in a row by Rafael Bejarano who finally said “no mas”; figure to get good value alone on a switch to jockey Fernando Perez.

Long Shot – 6 Greyson and John

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

2 Silver Spirit – Two of his last three races are fast enough to beat these tonight; good chance for Edwin Maldonado to end the year on a positive note.

6 The Bench Rules – Has shown steady improvement in each of his four career starts; always respect the trainer Ron Ellis barn that wins at a high percentage.

Long Shot – 5 Air Nashoba

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds

2 Gambler’s Roll – Gets the ultimate equipment change as he becomes a first time gelding; trainer Philip D’Amato also dropping him way down in class for this.

6 Wake Up Nick – Morning line favorite in a wide open affair; I can’t throw anyone out of this heat and you hate to hit the “all” ball for a $10 or $12 winner.

Long Shot – 6 Comanche Ruler

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Almost Reality – Has the ability to go to the front, which could make sense with the rail draw and the turf rail out 20 feet; Tyler Baze plays catch me if you can.

3 Lily Kai – Ran a strong race in last and like that Rafael Bejarano takes a repeat call; she has enough speed to leave should Bejarano take that tactical option.

Long Shot – 8 Out of the Ordinary

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Carlsbad Mountain – Has won two races in a row for trainer Bruce Headley; both wins can in 2-turn miles and showed front runner skills, will be the one to catch.

5 Noble Kent – Tepid chalk in another wide open affair; has tactical speed to sit a nice trip throughout, hot riding Santiago Gonzalez takes over.

Long Shot – 7 Luckbox Sam

Race 6 – 1 1/8th miles, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 China Girl Lover – Unless the rail is dead, it’s OK to save ground and try to find a seam late to rally through; jockey Drayden Van Dyke is a kid with a bright future.

6 Avanti Bello – Tepid morning line chalk has a better looking resume if you can draw a line thru the last race; his three races prior are all fast enough to beat these.

Long Shot – 9 Got Even

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 20 feet), $75,000 Eddie Logan, 2-year-olds

7 Path of David – Looked like a different animal in his second career start at Del Mar; was favored in the MSW, the question will be if he can repeat the effort.

6 Imperious One – Was well regarded in his SoCal debut in the Cecil B. DeMille; like that Rafael Bejarano takes the repeat call from trainer Doug O’Neill.

Long Shot – 1 Trust Your Gut

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

9 Adair – Was well bet and really ran well in his career debut; am somewhat surprised that he is not protected, or at least raised some in class as he tipped his ability.

4 Spirit World – Despite finishing ahead of Adair in last, I put him a notch below in my picks; the key for me is this one has had 3 career starts already.

Long Shot – 5 Captain Carchy

Best Bet - 1 Almost Reality (race 4)

Santa Anita Wednesday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$20.60; Long Shots, 7/1/$5.40; Best Bet, 0/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 49/10/$68.40; Long Shots, 25/5/$44.80; Best Bets, 2/0/$0

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #3 Irish Whisper (2/1) in race 6 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Lucky Greatness ran out at Gulfstream Park. Simo stats - 3/0/$0; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick