Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, October 18

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Blue Anchor – Woke up nicely in last wearing blinkers on for the first time; big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano when facing winners for the first time.

1 Kenjisstorm – Chance to be lone early speed and Santiago Gonzalez is not afraid to grab command early; should try and play catch me if you can.

Long Shot – 6 Hot Lightning

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, $70,000 Speakeasy, 2-year-olds

1 Blameitonthelaw – Has chased the best in the division his last two starts; suspect he can sit a trip on the cutback and kick in with a nice late rally.

5 Toews On Ice – Logical chalk off a very impressive win in last; did it in a stakes at Los Alamitos which lead to a generous 9/1 odds on a Bob Baffert colt.

Long Shot – 2 Street Vision

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $17,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Broadway Nika – Was overmatched in last while facing $18K charges; is dropped back down in class by trainer Peter Miller where he faces his good friends tonight.

5 The Mad Hungarian – Beat this kind in last, but the thing you learn about cheaper horses is they don't, or can't, often repeat their last race; is a hard trier.

Long Shot – 4 Carlot Cowboy

Race 4 – 6 ½ furlongs (turf), Purse $55,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

7 Bluegrass Bronco – When a horse wins down the hill, they usually keep running well down the hill; has shown a lot of early talent as a strong turf sprinter.

9 Aotearoa – Has only tried the hill once and was no good; I suspect he'll do better this time on the big cut back in distance, will sit a trip and come flying late.

Long Shot – 6 Forever Juanito

Race 5 – 5 ½ furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

5 Captain Carchy – Been nibbling with 6-of-8 in the money finishes; this field is full of slowpokes and most have had multiple chances without improving.

4 Run the Show – Been away two full years, but faces weaklings dropping down from MSW to maiden claiming; is also a first time gelding, need not be much to compete.

Long Shot – 6 Desert Express

Race 6 – 5 ½ furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

2 C. C. Zipp – Of the ones with experience, she is by far the most accomplished; HOF trainer Jerry Hollendorfer adding blinkers on for more focus and even more speed.

8 Sudden Fame – Was bet down to 6/5 favorite in her career debut and finished a non-threatening third; HOF trainer Richard Mandella babies will improve with experience.

Long Shot – 3 Adios Princess

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $22,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

10 Royal Banker – Was claimed three races back for trainer Doug O'Neill for $32K, now is dropped down for $25K; big rider switch to main man Rafael Bejarano.

3 Silver Torch – Gets class relief tonight so that should improve his chances; trainer Bob Hess is putting the blinkers on for extra focus and energy.

Long Shot – 7 Dynamite Ride

Race 8 – 5 furlongs, Purse $59,000, Optional claiming $100,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Five Palms – Has not been out since May for HOF trainer Bob Baffert; he returns in a turn back spot so don't expect the same kind of early speed, but could finish well.

5 Oil – Eked out a hard fought win in a turf sprint last time; has done well on real dirt but has nibbler tendency with five seconds among eight main track starts.

Long Shot – 4 Rocket Heat

Race 9 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

9 Perdona – Mario Gutierrez won 5 races on Thursday in just 5 mounts; obviously he is riding in fine form and will give this filly a chance if she is ready to fire.

6 Margaret Reay – The Zayat Stables is better know for American Pharoah, but they have others that run; trainer Tom Proctor adding blinkers on to find the answer.

Long Shot – 5 Boat Drinks

Best Bet - 2 Blue Anchor (race 1)

Santa Anita Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$23.40; Long Shots, 9/1/$10.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.40

Santa Anita Totals - 237/51/$299.80; Long Shots, 119/26/$324.00; Best Bets, 12/4/$14.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #2 Moonlit Meteor (9/2) in race 9 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, S'Marvelous won at Belmont Park paying $5.30 to win, $3.40 to place and $3.00 to show. Stats - 155/103/$775.10;

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