HORSE RACING

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