Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, January 24

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

7 Grazen Sky – Has run two game seconds so far; showed solid improvement in last, tough to handle if improves once again today.

6 Signature Cat – Still living off the reputation of his career debut; that was a quick one at Saratoga, last two are stinkers.

Long Shot – 5 Rhett’s Image

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

3 This Time I Win – Ron Ellis has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; this one debuted for a $40K tag, now starts in MSW.

4 Alfiero – This other Ron Ellis is this FTS who has been working well; key vote comes from Joe Talamo taking the call.

Long Shot – 5 Trash Talkin

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

5 Forest Chatter – Broke his MSW down the tricky hillside turf course in last; horses that win down the hill are apt to do it again.

10 Gangnam Guy – Has run three good downhill races; albeit without winning; like the parking lot post to get a decent trip.

Long Shot – 3 El Tovar

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

5 Chief of Staff – Another private purchase by Jerry Hollendorfer, he has good bloodstock agents; this colt comes from Emerald Downs.

7 Upbeat Tempo – Has run better than looked despite his high odds in both career starts; likely to keep improving with experience.

Long Shot – 3 Stormin Trick

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf), $200,000 California Cup Oaks, Cal-breds, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Light One – Goes 2-turns for the first time; has shown ability for the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer and he doesn’t hesitate in this spot.

4 Heat the Rocks – Did everything but win last time in a nice effort; tries turf for the first time and has pedigree by Unusual Heat.

Long Shot – 2 Singing Kitty

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, $250,000 California Cup Derby, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

2 Acceptance – Unbeaten in three starts, has been masterfully handled by Don Warren; could this Cal-bred copy California Chrome?

1 Tough Sunday – Broke thru in a big way last time winning his MSW; tries 2-turns for the first time while facing a heavy in Acceptance.

Long Shot – 3 Mischief Clem

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

14 Heat Trap – Parking lot post is often a kiss of death, but not down the hill; should get an A-1 trip for Victor Espinoza.

4 Velvet Mesquite – Has won 5-of-7 starts down the hill, an admirable mark; speed to lead or sit just off the early pacesetters.

Long Shot – 7 Go West Marie

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

2 San Onofre – Has been handled like fine china, a sign of trainer Bruce Headley; does not force the issue before its time.

3 Rousing Sermon – Most of his success has been going long; never question the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer, maybe he can sprint.

Long Shot – 7 Marino’s Wild Cat

Race 9 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

5 Bbig Bane Theory – Class relief from four graded open stakes for this Cal-bred spot; proven to be a tough customer regardless.

3 Alert Bay – Has shown versatility to win on dirt, turf and synthetics; bottomline he is a talented, hard trying horse.

Long Shot – 7 Awesome Return

Race 10 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 She Got Away – Interesting finale where a lot of chips will be riding in the NHC in Las Vegas; Edwin Maldonado for the money shot.

11 Powerful Girl – Ran a career topper in last; key is she must improve a step or at minimum repeat that to have a chance tonight.

Long Shot – 1 Erte

Best Bet – 2 Acceptance (race 6)

Santa Anita Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/6/$59.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$9.20; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60

Santa Anita Totals – 294/78/$519.00; Long Shots, 148/20/$172.80; Best Bets, 18/8/$33.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #4 Quality Rocks (3/1) in race 8 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Thoughtless ran second at Fair Grounds paying $3.00 to place and $2.20 to show. Stats – 13/10/$43.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick