HORSE RACING
February 3, 2010 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $29,000, Maiden claiming $75,000, 3-year-olds
Cape Finisterre - Failed as the chalk in last; can show improvement in third career start, need not be much horse.
Southern Defender - Ran a winning race for the class in debut; logical chalk will be tough if he improves one step.
Long Shot - Aeromon
Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $11,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up
Heroi Do Bafra - Ran big off a 6-month hiatus; has tons of back class for Mike Mitchell, surprised he wasn't claimed.
Autocue - Up in the final stride last time; hot riding Rafael Bejarano is really enjoying Joel Rosario's vacation.
Long Shot - Souvenir Slew
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $53,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up
Get Funky - Strong resume down the hillside turf course; was not embarrassed in the BC Turf Sprint.
Liberian Freighter - Been away 8-months, but has an affinity for SA sod; expect Bejarano to sit and make one run.
Long Shot - Stoneside
Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies, 4-year-olds
Sky Marni - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low level; she won the one time she ran for this price tag.
Ultra Awesome - Ran evenly in last off the claim by Tim Yakteen; like that Rafael Bejarano remains loyal to the cause.
Long Shot - Cuvee Blush
Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
Juliano - Tiny edge in a real hodgepodge of a race; return off an 8-month hiatus was OK, chance to move forward.
One Man's Delight - Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; showed surprising speed last time in a good try.
Long Shot - Prince of Gotham
Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $14,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
First Queen - Big class drop to face these, picks up Joel Rosario; should improve in second start for Kathy Walsh.
Acute Velocity - Sharp maiden claiming win, now facing winners for the first time; need not be much to compete.
Long Shot - Soldier Betty
Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $48,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds
Get A Grip - If this Team Valor colt wants to make a Triple Crown race, he better win a race like this chop-chop right now.
The Program - Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry to make the race go; both are capable of winning this heat.
Long Shot - Indian Firewater
Race 8 - 1 mile, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
My Last Tycoon - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; bothered early, ran on late in debut.
Veecu - Second best in last in a reasonable effort; has tactical speed to attend the early pace throughout.
Long Shot - Quietly Waiting
Best Bet - Heroi Do Bafra (race 2)
Santa Anita Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/6/$50.40; Long Shots, 9/2/$43.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 412/107/$697.00; Long Shots, 206/33/$358.00; Best Bets, 25/10/$44.80
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #6 Dr. W (7/2) in race 8 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Awesome Bull won at Aqueduct paying $2.80 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats - 24/16/$102.10