Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, June 5

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Soar Home – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this career low level; draw a line thru the turf race and her resume looks fine.

3 Super Defence – Been away 14-months, returns in the red hot Richard Baltas barn; watch the tote board for additional clues.

Long Shot – 2 Always an Angel

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Thermal Nermal – Her 2 races down the hillside turf course are both very good; has tactical speed to sit a nice trip.

2 Joeandbetty’sbaby – Has won 3 times down the hill so she is always a danger in these heats; top turf rider Corey Nakatani is up.

Long Shot – 6 Burns Turn

Race 3 – 5 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

8 Screaming Skylar – FTS from the Peter Miller barn; she is a Smart Strike that cost a healthy $505K at Ocala sales.

2 Bennett Jean – Could it be a Smart Strike exacta; this Smart Strike was much less expensive at $150K at Ocala.

Long Shot – 6 Heart of Paradise

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Theatre Star – She was used up on the front end in last; she has proven she does not need the lead to succeed.

1 Kathleen Rose – She is a talented turfer and one mile is her favorite distance; her speed will be aided by turf rail out 24 feet.

Long Shot – 6 Unusual Hottie

Race 5 – 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Wine Country Wanda – If you read my comments long enough, you know I like cut back horses; this one should be flying fast late.

8 Nonna Reese – A.C. Avila has been loyal to Omar Berrio thru thick and thin; this one is very live so it’s up to Omar to deliver.

Long Shot – 3 Lust for Life

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Miss Well Molded – Switches to the Peter Miller barn for this new beginning; her speed with be aided by the turf rail out 24 feet.

7 Toppers Sunshine – Has a solid turf resume, thus offers lots of value at 6/1 odds; has tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

Long Shot – 3 Wonderful Lie

Race 7 – 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Fit to Rule – Popular horse has been claimed in 3 of his last 4 starts; first time out in this new barn of Peter Miller.

6 Macias – He’s earned more than $307K so you know he’s enjoyed better days; owns just 1 dirt win lifetime.

Long Shot -4 When We Met

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $40,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds

3 Hobbits Hero – I like horses that won while running a lower Beyer speed figure; this one has excelled since switching to the grass.

7 Number Five – Taking the biggest class drop in racing for a price tag for the first time; has back speed to run a winning race.

Long Shot – 4 Green Tag

Best Bet – 2 Wine Country Wanda (race 5)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/7/$59.60; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.60

Santa Anita Park Totals – 379/107/$757.80; Long Shots, 183/23/$224.80; Best Bets, 21/6/$119.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #4 Bird House (7/2) in race 5 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Thirteen Arrows won at Belmont Park paying $2.80 to win, $2.30 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats – 87/52/$505.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick