HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Eternally Fast - Speedball was dueled into submission last time, must avoid fighting Coo Cachoo; his race two back was a real corker.

Move On Up - Ran better than looked in turf debut when overmatched classwise; entered for a price tag, these are his friends.

Long Shot - Purse Lava

Race 2 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Suziqcutie - With so much early speed in here, I see closers running amok late; her race two back is the one to repeat.

Ashton Girl - Her last two starts were real stinkers; big class drop could provide the wake-up, need not be much today.

Long Shot - Enchanting Moment

Race 3 - 5 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Simply Put - Fresh runner has been away 8 months; takes a huge class drop for John Sadler to face these, if she's ready.

Kaylie's Joy - Been away 7 months, and like the favorite, is dropping in class; she ran two races fast enough to crush these.

Long Shot - Flashing Traveler

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $22,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

Belongs to Gotham - Has good grass resume considering most here are turfing for the first time; saves all the ground.

Proud Hillbilly - Leap of faith that Garrett Gomez is riding a live piece; parking lot post if OK down the hillside.

Long Shot - Full On

Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

Saw Perfection - Big rider switch to Garrett Gomez for the money shot; makes his first start over the synthetic surface.

Ziggy's Stardust - Rafael Bejarano is riding a lot of stock for the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer; he'll sit and make one run.

Long Shot - Spring Forth

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

Spirit of Cochise - Dead late closer can benefit from a major speed duel; ran a winning race for this class in last.

Smoke Cat - Speedball must deal with Tactful and Young Joe to win this; did everything but win last time out.

Long Shot - Spot the Diplomat

Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $46,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Elusive Galaxy - Worth giving another chance considering she did run in the BC; beware Ben Cecil has an uncoupled entry.

Cash Queen Anna - After running against 15 horse fields, she'll like less traffic today; vote of Garrett Gomez counts.

Long Shot - Ghost Girl

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Summers At Delmar - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; now or never for Julio Canani cull.

Sonofablur - Beaten chalk takes the blinkers off; like that Rafael Bejarano remains loyal despite last race debacle.

Long Shot - Blackman Bay

Best Bet - Spirit of Cochise (race 6)

Santa Anita Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/1/$4.00; Long Shots, 8/4/$48.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 735/190/$1,269.00; Long Shots, 366/55/$582.20; Best Bets, 45/16/$75.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #4 Sheik's Serenade (2/1) in race 3 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Proud Osceola ran second at Gulfstream Park paying $4.60 to place and $3.80 to show. Stats - 45/32/$221.00