HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

Megastar - Deep closer is overdue for a graduation photo; his two turf routes are both very encouraging.

Royal F J - Logical chalk has run second five races in a row; good for cashing paychecks, bad for the pick 4.

Long Shot - Champ Pegasus

Race 2 - 2 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Cause I'm Special - Exits some bullet works and win early connections of Tyler Baze and Caesar Dominguez.

Spark City - Favorite from a top combo of Adam Kitchingman and Martin Pedroza, you have the edge of seeing the odds.

Long Shot - Lakota Cash

Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $19,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Costa Marta - Been away 8-months, but returns at a very reduced class; chance to upset if the fitness is there.

Kazroad - Logical chalk was favored down the hillside two races ago; chance to rebound facing a soft group.

Long Shot - Fleet Royale

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Sticky Candy - Second start off being reclaimed by John Sadler; beaten favorite takes a solid class drop.

Roos On the Loose - Like the turn back in distance from route to sprint; adds blinkers on for focus.

Long Shot - Speedy Marini

Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $38,000, Claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

Kuro - The only starter to have won down the hill before; wide post should allow him to clock the early speed.

Format V. - Game win in last, now tries the hillside for the first time; only negative is the inside box.

Long Shot - Ishmael

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $46,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds

Domonation - Exits a bullet work for this first level allowance; dead late closer needs a confidence booster.

Lions Story - Logical chalk just missed last time in a top effort; concern is he may bounce off a career top.

Long Shot - Concord Point

Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $34,000, Starter allowance $32,000, 3-year-olds

Precious Duke - Gutsy win in last and appears capable of repeating; offers good value at 5/1 odds.

Buyer's Remorse - Nice return in last off a 6-month hiatus; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

Long Shot - Straightomidnight

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Diplo - Second best in last, but capable of better; lazy type that Rafael Bejarano has to ride hard throughout.

Letsgetitright - Exits bullet works so should be ripe for a big one; beaten favorite ran well last time.

Long Shot - Deem

Best Bet - Sticky Candy (race 4)

Santa Anita Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/1/$2.80; Long Shots, 9/2/$18.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 1,205/305/$2,015.20; Long Shots, 593/98/$1,003.40; Best Bets, 72/26/$140.80

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #1 Citizen Balley (5/2) in race 9 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Coulee ran out at Gulfstream Park. Stats - 71/51/$394.50