Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, May1

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

1 Oil - Was claimed two races ago for $20K, runs tonight for $50K; his last two races are both fast enough to beat this group.

5 Player’s Charm - In a group like this, running for $50K or $30K doesn’t make much difference; chance in a moribund field.

Long Shot - 6 Ultimate Luck

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), $75,000 Ultrafleet, Fillies, 3-year-olds

1 Avenge - Has paired wins for HOF trainer Richard Mandella; tries a minor stakes, but more importantly has excelled down the hillside.

5 She’s a Big Winner - Pretty obvious which surface she prefers to race over; like the cutback in distance, should finish better.

Long Shot - 3 Mio Me

Race 3 - 4 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

1 Tumbleweedprincess - FTS from John Brocklebank who trains his horses up in Idaho; this uncoupled entry could be very salty.

2 Runbrorun - This is the “other” Brocklebank FTS from Dixie Downs; watch the tote board for clues between these two.

Long Shot - 5 Xingontothebone

Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

7 Horizontalyspeakin - This is a one dimensional speedball who should enjoy the turf rail out 24 feet; put him on the lead and let’s see.

4 Lucky J Lane - Was put on the lead in last and didn’t hang around at the finish; suspect he’s better sitting mid-pack or so.

Long Shot - 3 Street Maven

Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weight, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

7 Ajac - My choice has a jockey and trainer both winless in 2015; the point I always make with newcomers is it’s still called horse racing.

4 Stormin Trick - Tepid chalk in a fairly open event; has shown good early speed and might try to bottom out a field like this.

Long Shot - 5 Book Thirty Four

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

7 Carrick Bay - Had a couple of close calls under Corey Nakatani; like the subtle slide in class and gets reunited with C-Nak.

2 Nicegirlsfnishlast - If you can draw a line thru last, her resume looks fine; this one if for forgiving handicappers only.

Long Shot - 3 Nazareth

Race 7 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 Endless Cruise - Bill Spawr is typically a solid trainer to bet on; there is lots of speed in here, could end up sitting a nice trip.

3 Celtic Moon - May have bounced in last after a game win two races ago; has some back speed where we know he’s fast enough to upset.

Long Shot - 1 Parliamentarian

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $48,000, Claiming $75,000, fillies, 3-year-olds

3 Morning Coffee - Makes a second try down the hillside turf course; first run was in a much tougher stakes, gets class relief tonight.

5 Vow Me Over - Don’t typically like a recent graduate facing winners for the first time; fact is there are many in here that are too slow.

Long Shot - 8 Pankhurst

Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 Hit a Homerun - Liked his debut where he looked others in the eye and fought gamely; from live Steve Miyadi barn and should improve.

7 The Gold Monkey - Been away 10-months but showed some ability last year; from Bruce Headley barn, he should be ready to rumble.

Long Shot - 1 Win Wish

Best Bet - 1 Oil (race 1)

Santa Anita Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$20.80; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.40

Santa Anita Meet Totals - 65/14/$85.60; Long Shots, 32/1/$8.60; Best Bets, 4/2/$7.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #5 Sheer Drama (3/1) in race 7 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Good Quality ran second at Churchill Downs paying $3.40 to place and $3.00 to show. Stats - 60/40/$273.20; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick