HORSE RACING
OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $32,000, Claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Categorize – Like the turn back in distance for down the hill; she’s tried it before and did well while facing much tougher.
Lucera – Wide out post is OK going down the hillside turf course; dead late closer offers value with underrated Almeida up.
Long Shot – Feel Ridge
Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Mahalo Lani – Has been well bet in her last three starts for a claiming price; tactical speed to sit a nice stalking trip.
Mango Frappe – Arias-DeLeon won the finale last night at 17/1 odds; third start off a 16-month hiatus could be her best.
Long Shot – Blazeitgirl
Race 3 – 7 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Bartok’s Bling – Interesting long shot play just won at this class, albeit at Fairplex; saves ground and grinds it out late.
A P Charlie – Speed has been doing much better over Cushion track at Santa Anita than at Hollywood; she is the one to catch.
Long Shot – Phoebe’s Song
Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, 2-year-olds
Cavanaugh – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; Jones has used Agapito before on some live horses.
Coastal Eddy – Tepid chalk is also taking the big class drop from MSW to claiming; chased some highly rated 2-YO in debut.
Long Shot – Star Carson
Race 5 – 7 furlongs, Purse $51,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds and up
Heatseeker – Like the turn back in distance for this; big rider change to Nakatani who figures to be a lot more aggressive.
Publication – Was overwhelmed in the grade 2 O’Brien, better suited for today; dead late closer will save his best for last.
Long Shot – Bushwacker
Race 6 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $45,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Asturias – Decent U.S. debut for this English import; chased a very good one in Frankel trained Mezuzah, kept good company.
Powerofvoodoo – Exits the same race as Asturias so it was a fairly good heat; dead late closer is getting long in the tooth.
Long Shot – Katori
Race 7 – 7 furlongs, $75,000 Cavonnier, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds
Comissioner Gordon – Could see a positive race shape of a fast pace for him to close into; always keep an eye on Mullins.
Topper Shopper – Speedball was dueled into submission last time out; would like to see him allowed to settle early on.
Long Shot – Warrens Flyin High
Race 8 – 1 mile (turf), $65,000 Swingtime, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Sol Mi Fa – Unusual ride in last when sent to the lead against her better judgement; Flores will sit and make one big run.
Double Trouble – Tepid chalk in a wide open race, a key leg to your pick 6 ticket; tactical speed to sit a decent trip.
Long Shot – Flip Flop
Race 9 – 6 furlongs, Purse $12,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Eden Simone – Big class dropper for Monteleone didn’t do much running off the claim; like that Espinoza takes the call.
Home Alona – Speedball was claimed by Miller, a most dangerous barn nowadays; his Florida resume is enough class for this.
Long Shot – Gotta Go Gal
Best Bet – Categorize (race 1)
Santa Anita Sunday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 20/5/$28.80; Long Shots, 10/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.60
Santa Anita Totals – 153/31/$211.40; Long Shots, 78/11/$125.60; Best Bets, 9/3/$14.80