HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 – 51/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Ivy By the Shore – Sometimes youíre favored on merit, sometimes you inherit the role; her debut race would crush these.
Ata Atay – She earns some points for sliding down the claiming ladder; itíll be now or never facing this modest group.
Long Shot – Whatafantasy
Race 2 – 61/2 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds
Uncle Jeep – Mike Mitchell is throwing everything in his barn to win the trainer title; like the turn back in distance.
Letíspickupthepace – Speedball draws the advantageous rail to do his thing; goes as fast and as far as he can.
Long Shot – White Lace Jimmy
Race 3 – 51/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Michelle Marie – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; big rider switch to Joel Rosario.
Tripped Fuse – This oneís for forgiving handicappers; ran a cropper in last, but her race two back is fast enough to win.
Long Shot – Martini Mixer
Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Miss Lydia – She tried these two race back and ran evenly; this is a softer group, her last try was pretty good.
Warrenís Devonlane – Sliding down the claiming ladder to the lowest rung yet; she need not be much to beat these.
Long Shot – Good Shot Molly
Race 5 – 61/2 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds
High Intellect – Tepid favorite ran a solid race from parking lot post 10 in last; class drop can only help.
Trilliant – Mike Mitchell throwing the kitchen sink in today; colt was all out to beat $10K claimers last time.
Long Shot – Lunch Time
Race 6 – 51/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
To Hot for You – Been away 8-months, but faced much tougher at Del Mar; very dangerous if she is ready.
Kristenís Lil Lady – Miserable effort in last after a good try two races ago; youíll get better odds tonight.
Long Shot – Indomitable
Race 7 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), Purse $52,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds
Oil Man – Gets class relief from graded stakes for this NW1X; saves ground and grinds it out under Joel Rosario.
African Gray – Just missed last time in a solid turf debut; is bred for route and grass, another shot.
Long Shot – When We Met
Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Sensational Score – Lost all chance at the start in last; heís not big winning on turf, but his rally was courageous.
Parc des Princes – Speedball will try to slow these down as much as possible; Paulo Lobo is moving his barn to NYRA.
Long Shot – Sangaree
Race 9 – 1 3/4 miles (turf), $200,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap, 4-year-olds and up
Midships – Was allowed to set a dawdling pace last time and danced away; appears to be lone speed again today.
Big Booster – Classy sort is a dead late closer, thus at the mercy of todayís slow early pace; will fly late.
Long Shot – Spring House
Race 10 – 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Classic Demand – Was ready to roll last time in the stretch when sandwiched and stopped cold; chance at a square price.
Christyís Bullet – Big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming; her race two back is fast enough to beat these.
Long Shot – Chic Chick
Best Bet – Midships (race 9)
Santa Anita Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/3/$15.60; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals – 1,366/334/$2,277.40; Long Shots, 664/100/$1,196.20; Best Bets, 80/32/$117.40
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – #8 Valtrus (10/1) in race 7 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, La Rocca won at Keeneland paying $7.20 to win, $4.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Stats – 52/44/$349.60