HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time noon

Race 1 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $16,000, Starter allowance $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

Souvenir Slew - Has run many races lately fast enough to boss these; figures to see an above average pace.

Dirt Diver - Tactical speed to sit a perfect trip; figures to stalk One Shot who is the primary speedball.

Long Shot - One Shot

Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, $100,000 California Cup Matron Handicap, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Lady Railrider - Talk about a synthetic surface lover; away since April, she is in very capable hands.

Hot 'n Dusty - Logical chalk has challenged some toughies of late; surprisingly has fared poorly in Arcadia.

Long Shot - Smooth Performer

Race 3 - 1 1/4 miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), $75,000 California Cup Distance Handicap, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

You Lift Me Up - Has been a model of consistentcy in open class as well as Cal-breds; clearly the one to beat.

Century Park - Has been clashing in open company, albeit with limited success, can step up for Bob Baffert.

Long Shot - Catsalot

Race 4 - 7 furlongs, $100,000 California Cup Juvenile Fillies, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Miss Georgie Girl - Kin to Georgie Boy show big improvement in MSW win; she figures to get better and better.

La Nez - Gave the ill-fated Mi Sueno all she could handle in the Debutante; fights like a tigress.

Long Shot - Whispering Hush

Race 5 - 1 1/2 miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), $50,000 California Cup Starter Handicap, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Epic Power - Has the most back class in the field; his last win came over Santa Anita sod last January.

Yodelen Dan - Hard to believe Jeff Mullins offered him up for $10K, twice, with no takers; capable at his best.

Long Shot - Low Gear Power

Race 6 - 1 1/8th miles, $200,000 California Cup Classic Handicap, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Grazen - 3-YO takes on his elders tonight; high ceiling going forward, good enough to beat these here.

Star Nicholas - Has never gone this far before; he's in the best form of his career, good time to take a shot.

Long Shot - Lethal Heat

Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), $100,000 California Cup Distaff Handicap, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Strawberry Tart - Tiny edge in a difficult heat; turns back in distance, she'll be roaring late.

Bootleg Annie - Speedball surprisingly has never been down the hill; she adores turf, up to the challenge.

Long Shot - Flashover

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, $100,000 California Cup Sprint Handicap, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

M One Rifle - Very quick and mowing down his foes; will be a top Bruce Headley sprinter for years to come.

Lit'sgoodlookngray - Few skunk Mike Mitchell off the claim; sharp Fairplex stakes win for Bob Hess.

Long Shot - Dancing in Silks

Race 9 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $125,000 California Cup Mile Handicap, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Unusual Suspect - He seldom takes on Cal-breds, but here he is; suspect he'll sit far back and make one run.

Dewey's Special - Became a new animal when switched to turf; tactical speed to lead or sit just off the pace.

Long Shot - Skimmetry

Race 10 - 7 furlongs, $100,000 California Cup Juvenile, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

Bench the Judge - Tiny edge in a very difficult finale; grinder was doing well late in the Barretts Juvenile.

Tribal Face - Maiden ran third in a stakes last time; lost to John Scott who would be even money in here.

Long Shot - Runaway Bandido

Best Bet - M One Rifle (race 8)

Santa Anita Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/2/$17.40; Long Shots, 8/2/$27.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$6.00

Santa Anita Totals - 49/8/$48.40; Long Shots, 25/4/$44.40; Best Bets, 3/2/$9.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #7 Eagle Strike ((7/2) in race 3 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Big Rushlet ran second at Hawthorne paying $4.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Stats - 142/108/$810.90