HORSE RACING

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

My Gal Candy – Big rider switch to Victor Espinoza for the money shot; was flattered when Gambling Pokerface won next out.

Duck River – Taking a big class rise to face winners for the first time; flattered when Phoenician Star won next out.

Long Shot – Bye bye Hollywood

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

John Eli – Ron McAnally has a big shot to win this race; he has two of the 5 starters and both figure on paper.

Halo’s Law – Jeff Mullins is never afraid to let lesser jocks get a shot; his race 2 back is fast enough to beat these.

Long Shot – Candy for Paseana

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $46,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds

Majestic Afleet – Like the turn back in distance; tries turf for the first time, but is bred to like the stuff.

Brady Blue Eyes – Was overmatched in the grade 1 Cash Call; has tactical speed to sit a nice trip.

Long Shot – Camp Victory

Race 4 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies, 4-year-olds

You Can Dream – Huge class drop makes her the obvious chalk; has enough speed to protect her inside post position.

Ultra Awesome – Claimed by Tim Yakteen and spotted nicely to win; like that Rafael Bejarano continues to ride.

Long Shot – Rev Her Up

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up

Solar Rocket – Second time out for this Bob Baffert baby; they typically improve with racing experience.

Off the Wall – Logical chalk off a debut where he chased Zensational; been away 11-months, we’ll see if he’s ready.

Long Shot – Bridging

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $30,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

Bonfante – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low class level; like that Rafael Bejarano legs up.

Noblety – Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; he loves the hillside, but the winner will need a clean trip.

Long Shot – Ten Meropa

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $46,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

Runaway Bandido – Gave a good account of himself in the Cal Breeders; like the turn back in distance for this softer spot.

A Plus Topper – Beat a bulky 14-horse MSW field in his debut; this is much tougher, but the natural progression.

Long Shot – High Success

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $150,000 El Encino, Fillies, 4-year-olds

Dream Empress – Ken McPeek adds blinkers on for this; she got a nice prep in last off a 9-month hiatus.

Justwhistledixie – Tepid chalk in a wide open stakes; Garrett Gomez exits Dream Empress to ride for Bill Mott.

Long Shot – Stardom Bound

Race 9 – 7 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

You Know I Wancha – Logical chalk taking a huge drop in class; if she improves one step, she could crush these.

Musical Grace – Rafael Becerra adding blinkers on; nice parking lot post to stalk the early pace.

Long Shot – Donia

Best Bet – You Know I Wancha (race 9)

Santa Anita Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$19.80; Long Shots, 9/2/$16.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 279/72/$477.00; Long Shots, 139/20/$203.20; Best Bets, 17/8/$34.80

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – #2 Victory Cure (3/1) in race 4 at Philadelphia Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Pedrolino was scratched at Gulfstream Park. Stats – 16/10/$62.60