HORSE RACING
January 2, 2010 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
Worth a Punt - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; facing a very slow group.
Jac Cadillac - When a field is this bad, you need to peek at any FTS; doesn't need to be much to compete.
Long Shot - Kim's Leading Man
Race 2 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $46,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
Hot Damon - Twice beaten favorite has run good, but not quite good enough; like that Rafael Bejarano sticks.
Alive for Six - Good second in first synthetic try; he has turf pedigree, so Carla Gaines tries it again.
Long Shot - Soul Candy
Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $48,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Miss Silver Brook - Lost all chance in last after a poor start; her style suggests she'll relish a 2-turn route.
Lexlenos - Multiple close but no cigar finishes; was highly regarded as noted by many prior graded stakes starts.
Long Shot - Forever My Love
Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds
Zilarator - Did a classic pop and stop setting it up for uncoupled stablemate Quiet Invader; expect much better.
Wayman - Tepid chalk in a harder than looks race; Joel Rosario likes to take back and make one run.
Long Shot - Oceanographer
Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), $60,000 Impressive Luck Handicap, Four-year-olds and up
Noble Court - Had no chance in the Underwood chasing a slow pace; should see the right pace and distance here.
Quietly Mine - Like that Garrett Gomez takes the call; will save ground and angle out for a late rally.
Long Shot - Stoneside
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Top Seeded - Doug O'Neill adds blinkers on for more sharpness; big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming.
Dance the Dance - Was well bet in last and ran OK; suspect she's liable to improve a step to be in the hunt.
Long Shot - Kiss My Swiss
Race 7 - 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Fitzmo - Chance to be lone speed, the most dangerous play in racing; exits a bullet work, he's ready.
Hiatus - Dead late closer is hoping someone softens up Fitzmo early; second start off a one year sabbatical.
Long Shot - Indy Ride
Race 8 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Diamondrella - No shame losing to Ventura in the Matriarch; overdue to run a big race in a SoCal stakes.
Life Is Sweet - Key will be if she bounces, and how much, off an awesome BC win; hasn't run on turf in 18-months.
Long Shot - Cat by the Tale
Race 9 - 6 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Church Avenue - Moving in the same direction as the chalk Slews Copy; third start off of a 2-month respite.
Slews Copy - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low level; Mike Mitchell adding blinkers on.
Long Shot - Love to Fish Kona
Best Bet - Top Seeded (race 6)
Santa Anita Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/5/$36.40; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80
Santa Anita Totals - 98/28/$189.40; Long Shots, 50/5/$54.40; Best Bets, 6/3/$8.20
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #2 Ibboyee (8/5) in race 8 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Ampart Ridge won at Aqueduct paying $4.20 to win, $2.30 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats - 6/6/$36.20