HORSE RACING

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