Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, October 3

Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Lamazone – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this bottom rung; facing the slowest field of her career.

3 Afleet Echo – Twice she finished in the money at this bottom rung; key is both races were held at Los Alamitos, easier task.

Long Shot – 4 Ann’s Gold

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $35,000, Maiden claiming $75,000, 2-year-olds

7 Life On Riviera – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; was the favorite in his career debut.

3 Sebastian’s Heart – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; chance in a wide open field.

Long Shot – 2 Silent Secret

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $63,000, Optional claiming $75,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Pontchatrain – Is a perfect 3-for-3 down the hill; been away since February, she clearly has bigger fish to fry after this appetizer.

7 Fanticola – Has run well twice down the hillside turf course; the key is if you like this course, you keep running well over it.

Long Shot – 3 Indecise

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

3 Mischief Clem – Second logical step after a monster debut win; Kent Desormeaux has broken ribs so HOF Mike Smith will take over.

5 Cardiac – Was flattered when Wake Up Nick won next time out; has shown improvement with each of his 3 career starts.

Long Shot – 1 Global Magician

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 Crux – Ron Ellis has some live ones on today’s card; this one has tactical speed to sit a nice trip throughout.

8 Romar Success – Been a nibbler with 7-of-11 in the money finishes; Leonard Powell switches to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot.

Long Shot – 6 Cinmars Dance

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Go Get Em Babe – This is an inexpensive one for Bob Baffert at $150K; should appreciate the bit of extra ground.

2 Laria – Been away since January; John Shirreffs is a conservative trainer, he doesn’t start them unless they are 100% right.

Long Shot – 6 Lady Bugatti

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $40,000, Claiming $40,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

4 Kukaluka – Lukewarm favorite in a race dart throw of a race; you’ll need to go fairly deep to have any confidence.

2 Unusual Style – Taking a solid class drop to $40K to face much easier; key race, difficult race, in your Pick 4 and 6 sequence.

Long Shot – 9 George’s Peach

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

3 Yard Line – His last win was good, but he appears better on natural dirt; draw a line thru the turf race and his resume is fine.

7 Secretsatmidnight – His best races have come right in Arcadia; has high cruising speed so he’ll be in front or right there.

Long Shot – 1 Bird E. House

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Q’Viva – Rafael Bejarano has lots of live mounts, no surprise for the perennial leading rider; this one will be coming fast late.

10 Mom’s Winner – I usually don’t like graduates facing winners for the first time; this one has improved since claimed by Ron Ellis.

Long Shot – 2 Rockin Girl

Best Bet – 6 Pontchatrain (race 3)

Santa Anita Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$13.20; Long Shots, 8/2/$17.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.80

Santa Anita Totals – 72/18/$92.40; Long Shots, 36/6/$83.20; Best Bets, 4/4/$12.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #8 Pangburn (5/1) in race 9 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Little G ran out at Belmont Park. Stats – 152/87/$813.20; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick