HORSE RACING
December 31, 2009 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $27,000, Claiming $25,000, 2-year-olds
Really Uptown - Wide trip from post 10 didn't help in last; draws the rail in an embarrassing 5-horse field.
Cat Calloway - Has chased better including stakes winner Caracortado; like that Rafael Bejarano stays loyal.
Long Shot - Ur Turn Dubai
Race 2 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $53,000, 3-year-olds and up
Delta Storm - Exits a bevy of difficult sprints for this much easier spot; last won with Joel Rosario up.
Red Arrow - Speedball should be able to clear in this abbreviated sprint; plays catch me if you can.
Long Shot - Sangaree
Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up
Wicked Mischief - When something looks too easy, that's when you should start worrying; why the huge class drop.
Run Over You - A. C. Avila horses continue to run well at this new meet; tactical speed to sit a nice trip.
Long Shot - Legendary Mud
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Fund Raiser - Bob Baffert barn is doing so well right now, even this filly might get brave; reunited with Garrett Gomez.
Goodiemaker - Logical chalk in an interesting heat; debuted for the late Bobby Frankel and raced evenly.
Long Shot - Swift Beauty
Race 5 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $36,000, Claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Welken - Claimed by Jerry Hollendorfer; when he gets them good, they stay good, fits well at this class.
Lauren C - Upset the favorite last time going down the hillside turf course; may not have the same kick at a mile.
Long Shot - Expensive Art
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Maiden claiming $75,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Sweet Hanni - Small edge in a wide open affair; Vladimir Cerin babies typically improve with experience.
Fair Chase - John Sadler has seen enough; taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming.
Long Shot - Indiara
Race 7 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up
Golden Mexico - Tiny edge in another contentious heat; this colt will break through some day, has ability.
Art Currency - Tepid chalk had no excuse in last; it was a career topper, afraid he might bounce today.
Long Shot - Red Alert Day
Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Cenizo - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Canani goes to Pedroza for the win.
Pat Olcott - Big improvement in last off being favored in debut; suspect we saw the real filly last time.
Long Shot - Miss Olivia K
Best Bet - Really Uptown (race 1)
Santa Anita Monday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$23.40; Long Shots, 8/2/$20.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 65/18/$125.40; Long Shots, 33/4/$45.20; Best Bets, 4/2/$5.40
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #4 Excessive Heat (2/1) in race 9 at Tampa Bay Downs. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Tiger's Song won at Hawthorne paying $4.40 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.20 to show. Stats - 4/4/$25.40