Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Oct. 17

Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
5 Empress Rules – If you don't like the starters with experience, this FTS is from HOF trainer Richard Mandella; working well in a.m. and gets HOF jockey Gary Stevens.
1 Just Got Lucky – Closed stoutly to gain second at 25/1 odds at Los Alamitos; if you don't think it was a fluke, she is a healthy 12/1 odds morning line today.
Long Shot – 3 West Mid

Race 2 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $24,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
4 Jonny's Choice – Exits the Seal Beach glorified starter allowance for this; his race two back was a victory fast enough to defeat these too.
2 Pray Hard – Emerald Downs shipper is from a strong barn in trainer Blaine Wright; he has shipped down to SoCal with live runners and had a lot of success.
Long Shot – 7 Apollo Ten

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds
1 Sutton's Smile – When you are second by 5-lengths or more, the winner was just the best horse in the race; her turf races have been a large improvement.
6 Shakti – Tries turf for the first time for trainer Peter Miller; he puts the blinkers on and we'll see if the transition is a positive one.
Long Shot – 5 Adeline Moon

Race 4 – 5 ½ furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up
5 May B – Was claimed two races back by trainer Mark Glatt and unleashed a big victory in last; if he can repeat the race he'll be double tough to handle.
7 The Cleaners – It was only a four horse field in last at Los Alamitos, but he ran very well still; would prefer to stalk close up and grind it out late.
Long Shot – 9 Sunrise Legacy

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up
5 Swiss Cheese – Was claimed three races ago by trainer Steve Miyadi; is dropped way down in class where he might see a nice pace scenario to close into.
1 Formally Wild – Speedball draws the rail where the best strategy may be to send hard once again; HOF trainer Jerry Hollendorfer adding blinkers on for this.
Long Shot – 6 Boompa

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $53,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
1 Grachus the Hunter – I like the rail post in a 2-turn mile either on dirt or grass; the key for me is the short run to the first turn, chance too to save a lot of ground.
7 The Gomper – This horse has absolutely underachieved, but continues to get bet for HOF trainer Jerry Hollendorfer; he tries a new pilot tonight in HOF jockey Mike Smith.
Long Shot – 5 Boat Trip

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
5 Skelton Pass – Was beaten soundly when second last time as the 4/5 odds favorite; the key is his race two back, if repeated, is fast enough to scorch earth these.
4 Caminetto – This is a Bob Baffert cull, but he finally gives up and puts him in for a $40K price tag; this is the easiest test of his career, no more excuses.
Long Shot – 8 Sacred Ovation

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf), $100,000 Autumn Miss, Fillies, 3-year-olds
1 Majestic Heat – HOF trainer Richard Mandella has an uncoupled entry and this filly is the higher odds at 4/1; draws the advantageous rail in a 2-turn 1-mile route.
9 Singing Kitty – She has an excellent grass resume with 3-of-6 wins so far; she is a multiple stakes winner albeit she has failed in graded stakes events.
Long Shot – 7 Paulina's Love

Race 9 – 5 ½ furlongs, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
1 Exactamente – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; hasn't taken any betting so far, but this is an incredibly soft spot for her.
7 Mint Julep Taffy – Another taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; from a very clever trainer in Molly Pearson.
Long Shot – 9 Of Course It Is

Best Bet - 1 Sutton's Smile (race 3)
Santa Anita Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$28.60; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 219/47/$276.40; Long Shots, 110/25/$314.00; Best Bets, 11/3/$11.00
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #9 S'maverlous (4/1) in race 8 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Karlyrae'swarrior ran out at Keeneland. Stats - 154/102/$763.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick