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
