HORSE RACING
March 19, 2009 - 9:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $33,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds
Lordgivemealift - Jeff Mullins drops him down first time for a price tag; even if he loses the horse, he wants the purse.
Leavthegateopen - Tepid chalk in a week's worth of difficult races; tactical speed to sit a stalking outside trip.
Long Shot - Omega Minister
Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $25,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Grey Babe - Two good races since joining the Tim Yakteen barn; while some look like cheap speed, he's a legit late closer.
Dona Mary - Among those who just graduated, her win looked best visually; tactical speed to sit forwardly placed.
Long Shot - Gale in the Vale
Race 3 - 1 mile, Purse $46,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds
Millenium Lakes - Mark Casse has success first time blinkers on; closer saves all the ground under Joel Rosario.
Life Goes On - Speedy chalk will try to take these all the way; Tyler Baze is one of the best speed riders.
Long Shot - Iron Fortitude
Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $42,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Motu Nui - Mike Mitchell filly has now paired wins; her two turf races stunk, but now she is in improving form.
Thelma Rose - Claimed by Bill Spawr and spotted aggressively to win; key is her first try on the greensward.
Long Shot - Hint of Lemon
Race 5 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Multitasker - Speedball was claimed by the underrated trainer Gary Sherluck; gets blinkers on and a better post.
She's Icy Hot - Found her best stride too late in debut; slow start hindered her, she will be grinding hard late.
Long Shot - Bagels N Bones
Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $57,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Unbridled Roman - Gets class relief from the Sham for this much easier spot; his lone win came against Cal-breds.
Beauteous Maximus - Another getting class relief and with Garrett Gomez up; suspect he'll take back for one run.
Long Shot - J P Jammer
Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Sugar Mint - Just missed in a photo last time or she'd be 2-for-2 in the U.S.; Jerry Hollendorfer has high hopes for her.
Heathersdaddysbaby - Ran OK last time off the claim from Mike Mitchell; must keep her good form for Ruben Cardenas.
Long Shot - General Consensus
Race 8 - 7 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Mystification - Just missed in last and Alex Solis remains loyal to Lisa Lewis; should be ready to fire his best.
Grand Turk - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to compete here.
Long Shot - Hold This
Best Bet - Sugar Mint (race 7)
Santa Anita Wednesday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$18.40; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$7.60
Santa Anita Totals - 979/230/$1,577.40; Long Shots, 484/75/$870.80; Best Bets, 57/23/$85.00
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #1 Bidham (3/1) in race 2 at Gulfstream. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Our Dreamette ran out at Aqueduct. Stats - 30/25/$178.00