Horse Racing
February 7, 2009 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $46,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds
Meteore - Incredibly difficult opener that should've been part of the pick 6; turf race two back was very good.
Herr Mozart - Logical chalk had a solid SoCal debut in last; Bob Baffert makes a big rider switch to Garrett Gomez.
Long Shot - Joking Sam
Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up
A Lil Dumaani - Speedy sort has a big advantage of recentcy; proven he can win on the lead or from just off the pace.
Riley Tucker - Likely the most talented horse in the race, but been away 8-months; doubt if Baffert has him cranked up.
Long Shot - Belafonte
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $30,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up
Bestdressed - Interesting claim by Jack Carava; was flattered when Wild Diplomat won next out, drops down in class.
Kewen - Tepid chalk in another difficult heat; Vladimir Cerin drops him way down in lass in search of a victory.
Long Shot - Prince Atlantis
Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds
Great Legacy - One of 7 FTS in the field; you'll have a big edge in seeing the tote action, colt has been working well.
Supreme Summit - Morning line favorite despite being among the 7 FTS; key is Doug O'Neill legs up Garrett Gomez.
Long Shot - Temerity
Race 5 - 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Cato Major - Big effort in last and now Ron Ellis is dropping her down one notch in class; race shape could flatter her.
Thankfully - Art Sherman filly could well be the speed of the speed; Joel Rosario goes as far and as fast as he can.
Long Shot - Good Shot Mally
Race 6 - 1 mile, $300,000 Las Virgenes, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Stardom Bound - Champ won't be wound tight, but she is more talented than these; makes her first start for Bobby Frankel.
Saucey Evening - Garrett Gomez had choices in here and opted to ride for Graham Motion; improving with every start.
Long Shot - Haka
Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $100,000 Thunder Road Handicap, 4-year-olds and up
Becrux - Classy sort had a terrible trip last time out; John Sadler switches to Joel Rosario for better racing luck.
Monterey Jazz - Speedball should be able to set his own pace today; third start off a 7-month hiatus can be his best.
Long Shot - Dilemma
Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis, 3-year-olds
Shafted - Sure to get value with his limited stakes experience; I saw something to believe he is a very talented colt.
Pioneerof the Nile - Won the Cash Call by the slimest of margins over I Want Revenge; logical chalk will be tested.
Long Shot - I Want Revenge
Race 9 - 1 1/8th miles, $250,000 Strub, 4-year-olds
Gio Ponti - Relished his first trip ever in last over synthetic surface; opens new avenues for this talented turf horse.
Slew's Tiznow - Did not bring his A-game last time as the beaten favorite in the San Fernando; can rebound in here.
Long Shot - Nownownow
Race 10 - 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Thornmark - Ran like a short horse off an 11-month hiatus; David Bernstein adds blinkers on, expect improvement.
Hold This - Sharp try off a 7-month sabbatical; if he improves one step, he'll be right there at the end.
Long Shot - Sailboat Sam
Best Bet - Stardom Bound (race 6)
Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$54.40; Long Shots, 7/1/$19.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 521/128/$887.00; Long Shots, 262/38/$437.80; Best Bets, 31/10/$42.00
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #5 He's So Chic (2/1) in race 10 at Tampa Bay. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet. On Friday, Greenwood Boy won at Aqueduct, he paid $4.20 to win, $3.50 to place, $2.30 to show. Stats - 4/3/$22.30