HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time Noon

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Lanie’s Way – Big rider switch to Victor Espinoza for the money shot; had excuses in last and figures to still improve.

Fine Time to Leave – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much in this field.

Long Shot – Minor Issues

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $25,000, Starter handicap $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Orientation Hall – Gary Sherluck squeezed a win out of him last time; he stretches back out in distance, can repeat.

Twin Turbo – Was gaining gradually in last but ran out of stretch; consistent sort figures to run his typical finish.

Long Shot – Warren’s Pepe

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $61,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Dreamalong – Returns from a 4-month hiatus; like the turnback in distance, ran well as a maiden in a stakes last time.

Magic Roberta – Tepid chalk in a wide open race; just missed in last, first time with blinkers on, figures to fire again.

Long Shot – Dextera

Race 4 – 1 mile, $85,000 Santana Mile Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

Dakota Phone – Gets a huge class relief from graded stakes for this; hard knocker will not be intimidated by Rail Trip.

Rail Trip – Unbeaten in four straight wins, he has yet to be tested; figures to have a horse look him in the eye today.

Long Shot – Cause

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $61.000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

Gato Roar – You’ll have a big edge over me because you’ll see the tote board action; FTS from Jeff Mullins appears ready.

Vanquest – If he repeats his last race, he becomes the one to beat; was flattered when Supreme Summit won next time out.

Long Shot – Best Mon

Race 6 – 1 1/8th miles, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, 3-year-olds

The Pamplemousse – He reminds me of a West Coast version of Quality Road; we’ll see if he needs the lead to succeed.

Pioneerof the Nile – All he does is win, he’s yet to run a really fast speed figure; he’s hoping Z Day will soften up the chalk.

Long Shot – Mr. Hot Stuff

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf), $150,000 Arcadia Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

Global Hunter – Big upset chance for this proven turf runner; third start off a 4-month hiatus, he’ll fly late.

Madeo – Got a confidence builder win in last; Garrett Gomez replaces Mike Smith who is riding at Keeneland today.

Long Shot – Desert Code

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $150,000 Potrero Grande Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

Davos – Dead late closer will see a positive race shape for a major upset; saves all the ground under Victor Espinoza.

Halo Najib – Third start off a 6-month hiatus can be his best; second best in last to a monster in Georgie Boy.

Long Shot – Sea of Pleasure

Race 9 – 1 mile (turf), $150,000 Providencia, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Burg Berg – No one better than Tyler Baze in nursing a speed horse; let’s hope everyone takes back on the grass.

Rosy Mantle – Tepid favorite in a wide open race; Rafael Bejarano must carve out a trip from a parking lot post.

Long Shot – Acting Lady

Race 10 – 7 furlongs, Purse $64,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

Devoted Magic – The unluckiest horse at the meet is overdue for a clean tripp; reunited with top rider Joel Rosario.

Hard Bill – Should be ready for his best after a solid U.S. debut; figures to be way overbet with Garrett Gomez returning.

Long Shot – Scored

Race 11 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $68,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

One Chin Again – In what should be a day of upsets, why not one more?; Corey Nakatani better ride hungry in this one.

Nitro Active – Logical chalk figures to be overbet with Rafael Bejarano up; just missed last time facing similar.

Long Shot – Carona Time

Best Bet – Davos (race 8)

Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/6/$45.20; Long Shots, 6/1/$11.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 1,180/288/$1,996.40; Long Shots, 572/87/$1,005.20; Best Bets, 69/27/$99.60

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – #1 Luv Gov (4/1) in race 5 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Tweeter won at Keeneland paying $12.00 to win, $6.40 to place and $4.80 to show. Stats – 41/33/$251.10