Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Oct. 12

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
2 Power of Hope – Really regressed in last as the even money favorite; like the cutback in distance, part of an uncoupled entry for trainer Ron Ellis.
4 George Zip – If you’re a Notre Dame fan you know this name is a pun on the Gipper; was well bet in career debut and Rafael Bejarano remains loyal to the cause.
Long Shot – 3 Golden Atlantic
Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
2 Sugar Spice – Claimed by trainer Jeff Metz off a nice win at Del Mar at this same class level; if you’re a Mets fan than this may be a Karma horse on the card.
8 Best in Class – Was claimed two races ago for $8K and now returns to that level; was in tough last time and gave a good account of herself, class relief tonight.
Long Shot – 4 Lust for Life
Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 Bayonet – Won a nose decision in last, but then was disqualified and placed last; logical to think a repeat race could yield the same result, without the DQ though.
7 Warren’s Purrfect – Was closing well along with the horse that finished first, Bayonet; she’s had 13 chances but has run some races faster than last time out.
Long Shot – 8 Sailor’s Cry
Race 4 – 6 ½ furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), $100,000 California Flag Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
6 Forest Chatter – HOF trainer Richard Mandella has a hillside turf course specialist as he has won all 4 of his hill starts; has tactical speed to sit a trip and finish.
1 Ambitious Brew – One thing to always look for is positive experience down the hillside turf course; he has won 3 races down the hill with 2 placings.
Long Shot – 2 Rock Me Baby
Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
1 Rockin Dorita – Paired two good races in a row at Del Mar, then took the Los Alamitos meet off; can save all the ground under Corey Nakatani and rally late.
3 Soul Flyer – Tepid morning line favorite in another wide open affair; graduated well in last, but trainer Julio Canani is staring at a long suspension.
Long Shot – 7 Q’Viva
Race 6 – 6 ½ furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
1 Tiz a Billy – Did a classic pop and stop in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf; his race two back was a fast MSW, should bounce back getting class relief tonight.
10 Collected – HOF trainer Bob Baffert with another fast looking FTS; stable rider Martin Garcia gets the call, watch the tote board for betting clues.
Long Shot – 3 Gotnoquit
Race 7 – 7 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Juansagain – Claimed by trainer Richard Baltas off a small barn trainer Lloyd Wicker; almost hate to see that because Wicker may have lost his best runner.
8 Heavenly Haze – After a solid debut to his career, he’s slipped back in the last two starts; trainer Carla Gaines goes with blinkers on for a wake up call.
Long Shot – 9 Northern Iowa
Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $55,000, Optional claiming 462,500, 3-year-olds and up
6 Patentar – Has yet to win in the U.S. but the key vote for me if Rafael Bejarano remains loyal to the cause; trainer Simon Callaghan is a top young talent.
3 Chiropractor – Tepid morning line favorite in another wide open affair; has made the transition from east coast to west coast racing without missing a beat.
Long Shot – 8 Yes Yes Yes
Race 9 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
12 Wade – I don’t remember the last time I picked three horses all with double digut post positions; this guy has been teasing us with lots of close calls, but no cigar.
13 Where Was Eddie – Has shown solid early pace in all three of his career starts; he’ll have a long run to the turn to finally get to the front of the bus.
Long Shot – 11 The Custodian
Best Bet - 1 Tiz a Billy (race 6)
Santa Anita Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/2/$11.40; Long Shots, 8/3/$25.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 171/37/$219.00; Long Shots, 86/20/$259.40; Best Bets, 8/3/$11.00
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #2 Puppy Manners (3/1) in race 4 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Three For Me ran out at Belmont Park. Stats - 152/101/$760.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick