Today at Santa Anita: June 15, 2014
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK by Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 Ryderroo - After 2 frustrating seconds, Jerry Fanning switches to Tyler Baze; he has been riding very well in his comeback.
7 Swiss Perfection - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; can clock the speed from a parking lot post.
Long Shot - 1 Warren’s Tricia R.
Race 2 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $50,000, Claiming $75,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
6 Loan Savant - Talk about class relief; exits the grade 3 American Oaks for a $75K price tag, should find these to be her friends.
3 Hugh Knew - Ran flat in last after a good fig graduation two races back; stretches out to a mile where the early pace will be kinder.
Long Shot - Unusual Style
Race 3 - 6 furlongs, $75,000 Desert Stormer, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 My Sweet Addiction - Test for class today, albeit in a tiny 5-horse field; still it’s a stepping stone race to hopefully bigger-better.
5 Doinghardtimeagain - Has a ton of back class but has been away since last August; has faced many tough ones in her excellent career.
Long Shot - 1 Warren’s Veneda
Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $50,000, Claiming $75,000, 3-year-olds and up
3 Dry Summer - Claimed by Peter Miller, who’s barn is red hot; this one has talent, back class, to rebound nicely moving forward.
5 Tribal Jewel - Major class relief from the grade 3 San Francisco for a $75K price tag; has a small, but successful, dirt resume.
Long Shot - 4 Valley Cat
Race 5 - 5 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
1 J Louie - Has proven a consistent performer at this bottom level class; has tactical speed to protect her rail post tonight.
3 Bodie Girl - Red flag drop in class and return to the races; still may have enough back class to get the job done at short odds.
Long Shot - 2 Tribal Yodeler
Race 6 - 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
4 Takeit Tothe Limit - This is simply a vote of respect for the Mike Pender barn; dropping in class from $50K to $20K helps too.
3 Salt of the Earth - If you follow speed figs, this one has run fast enough to beat these bottom feeders; camera shy so far in career.
Long Shot - 8 Celestial Image
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
9 Zanbo - Has not won down the hill yet, but has 3 in the money finishes; like the parking lot post to get the job done tonight.
8 Noise of the Crowd - Claimed by Bill Spawr and aggressively placed; dangerous when he takes his time with a new horse, expect improvement.
Long Shot - 6 Blake’s Magic
Race 8 - 7 furlongs, Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up
1 War Academy - Highly regarded colt has had one setback after another; if he can stay healthy, he has a ton of ability.
2 Tiz Dynamic - If you read my comments over the years, you know I like cut backs; this one should find his best stride late.
Long Shot - Kate’s Event
Race 9 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
1 Serene Melody - Aaron Gryder has a couple of very live mounts today; this one will hug the rail and look for room in the lane.
7 Sweet as a Rose - Corey Nakatani remains among the best turf riders in the country; this one must have her moved timed just right.
Long Shot - 5 Oeighter
Best Bet - 1 War Academy (race 8)
Santa Anita Park Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/6/$47.40; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Park Totals - 498/136/$960.80; Long Shots, 242/32/$296.80; Best Bets, 28/8/$27.20
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #9 Ave’s Halo (8/1) in race 7 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Personal Diary ran second at Churchill Downs paying $10.20 to place and $5.80 to show. Stats - 92/56/$548.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick
