HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $42,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Red Opal - Really had a rough trip last time and never got untracked throughout; should get value with Gryder riding and a good field.

Tight Circle - Square price while exiting an awful last race; was claimed by Hess who hires Espinoza, chance to rebound at good value.

Long Shot - Feel Ridge

Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds

Where's My Halo - If he repeats his last race, he'll win again; in a small field, it's more of a rider's race, Espinoza in this corner.

Gimme S'mor - Carava won two races on Thursday and continues to do with with claims; tactical speed to sit a nice trip for the Mig.

Long Shot - Fighting City Hall

Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

Gandolf - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; like that he has a lot of speed, will be involved early.

Beyond the Rim - Another taking the big class drop from MSW to claiming; Baffert cull has greatly underachieved, cuts his losses here.

Long Shot - Idaho Joe

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $25,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

Sabio - Never took a deep breathe last time knocking out a defenseless field; it's always a big step up facing winners for the first time.

Rapid Silver - Has to right style to take over if the race should fall apart late; Agapito will take his time and grind in the stretch.

Long Shot - Taylor's Route

Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Peaceful Flight - Dead late closer has run a few good races without cashing the big paycheck; suspect he'll be seeing some cheap speed.

Avvenimento - Hints at being the early speed in a bottom level maiden claimer; Saavedra adding blinkers on, a sign that they'll send.

Long Shot - Savannah Lightning

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $10,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

Hello Fame - In Talamo we trust, gets the weight off this live one; has plenty of back class where he may just crush this group.

Slide Home - Always respect Mullins regardless of the scenario; he's favored in here, this guy did a classic pop and stop in last.

Long Shot - Fountain Grove

Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $59,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Keladora - Frankel filly ran like she was in need of a race; stretches back out to her best distance, one mile, and saves all the ground.

Velvet Moonlite - Speedball may be too quick early and discourage other challengers for the lead; rail out 15 feet will help her.

Long Shot - Princess Ezra

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Marin County - FTS from Sadler gets the gifted bugboy Talamo to ride; if this horse has any morsel of talent, he can win today.

Currency Trader - Logical chalk should be some value with a low percentage rider up; Zucker adding blinkers on, still a must use.

Long Shot - Shorebreak

Best Bet - Hello Fame (race 6)

Santa Anita Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$17.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$12.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.00

Santa Anita Totals - 1,364/357/$2,325.40; Long Shots, 683/75/$1,033.60; Best Bets, 79/32/$128.20