HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $40,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Lexlenos – Just missed last time after a horrible trip two back in the Del Mar Oaks; might be better on synthetics.
Freedom Star – Lost all chance at the start last time; Garrett Gomez and Bob Baffert are winning lots of races.
Long Shot – Lullabytime
Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
Total Bull – FTS from the sizzling hot Bob Baffert barn; loses Gomez to Quoted, but nothing wrong with Rafael Bejarano.
Raise the River – Has run second in 8-of-13 career starts; he’ll take betting, he’ll run well, he’ll finish second.
Long Shot – Quoted
Race 3 – 6 furlongs, $58,000 Anoakia, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Crisis of Spirit – Lone loss came to Always a Princess who is in the BC; her upside is unlimited for Bob Baffert.
Excellent News – Appears to be putting things together; Rafael Bejarano exits for Camille C, Garrett Gomez takes over.
Long Shot – Camille C
Race 4 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
You Can Dream – How many races will Bob Baffert win today; sliding down the claiming ladder where she’s the boss.
Tribul Witch – Favored in debut, then bolted on the turn; she ran much improved in last, going in the right direction.
Long Shot – Sombre
Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Debating Society – This $20K class is her comfort level; saves ground under Rafael Bejarano, grinds it out late.
Blame the Wine – Her last two losses are not as bad as they look; drops in class, could be very troublesome.
Long Shot – Tallahsocean
Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $20,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Lady Alex – First time on turf, she is improving since claimed by John Sadler; Joel Rosario is flying high.
Warrens High Yield – Big class rise from maiden claiming win to face winners; her main strength is closing.
Long Shot – Coracao Beijo
Race 7 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Cenizo – Exited a strong MSW race at Del Mar; if Crisis of Spirit wins race 3, she will be really flattered.
Ballerina Angel – FTS has win early pedigree top and bottom; suspect will get a square price with the connections.
Long Shot – Tiz Misty
Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $38,000m, Optional claiming $32,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Enriched – Tepid favorite in a harder than looks race; question mark is why Craig Dollase isn’t protecting him.
Suit Yourself – Hasn’t run for a price tag since claimed by Oscar Garcia in January; like the turn back in distance.
Long Shot – Lucky Honey
Race 9 – 1 mile, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Sheskey – If you’re live in the pick 6, I hope you spread out; she runs fast enough to keep earning paychecks.
Cougarette – Had to steady at a key point of the race in last; big rider switch to Alex Solis for the money shot.
Long Shot – Private Valentine
Best Bet – You Can Dream (race 4)
Santa Anita Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/7/$38.60; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60
Santa Anita Totals – 408/106/$645.20; Long Shots, 205/34/$359.40; Best Bets, 24/11/$43.80
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – #1 Stately Victor (8/5) in race 3 at Churchill. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, War Hoot won at Belmont Park paying $5.90 to win, $4.00 to place and $2.90 to show. Stats – 160/119/$909.90
