Horse Racing

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