HORSE RACING

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Chicago Gal – Nearly pulled a big upset in debut facing males; a repeat effort versus her own sex will win this.

Space Age Lovesong – Has cashed paychecks in 5-of-7 starts, an admirable rate; saves ground and grinds late.

Long Shot – Be Driven

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

Peacock Alliance – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; his race two back wins this.

Big Bad Boo – Beaten favorite gets a key rider switch to Chantal Sutherland; Barry Abrams puts her on live ones.

Long Shot – Southern Defender

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $49,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Mother Ruth – Been heavily favored in 5-of-6 career starts; has underachieved, but still has a high ceiling.

Dotsy Jean – She has become a tigress since claimed by Marty Jones; she is equally adept on both sod and synthetics.

Long Shot – Gambler’s Justice

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

Top Feeling – Like the turn back in distance and parking lot post; been away a year, but showed some ability.

Hot Damon – Lost Rafael Bejarano to the outside horse, but Garrett Gomez is a good sub; sits and makes one run.

Long Shot – Dohnster

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Wells Furgo – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; exits a key race too.

Steel Blue – Eastern invader also has never run for a price tag; been away 7-months, but need not be much horse.

Long Shot – Tale the Truth

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $22,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

Tom Bombadil – Only horse to run down the hill before and it was an excellent second; like the wide post too.

Alpine Nugget – Tepid morning line chalk has been away 14-months; has certainly run fast enough to beat these.

Long Shot – Wolfgang

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $46,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Underground – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry, expect one to win; she may be a filly who prefers synthetics.

Pursuit of Glory – Like the turn back in distance from route to sprint; lone win came over Dundalk Polytrack.

Long Shot – Via Veneto

Race 8 – 1 mile, Purse $14,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

I Swear – Claimed by Eric Kruljac who then hires Rafael Bejarano to ride; loves synthetics, maybe not the distance.

Wilma Rules – Strange to see Garrett Gomez riding in a cheap race like this; must have a big shot or else.

Long Shot – Ellie L.

Best Bet – Chicago Gal (race 1)

Santa Anita Wednesday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$26.40; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 147/38/$248.40; Long Shots, 75/8/$81.00; Best Bets, 9/5/$19.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – #5 Matai (5/2) in race 5 at Tampa Bay. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Christmas Parade ran third at Tampa Bay paying $2.40 to show. Stats – 9/7/$38.60