HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $57,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 4-year-olds and up

Towzee - The hillside race is jammed with early speed, so I'll go with a deep closer; Alex Solis sits and fires late.

Hewitts - Not certain if the logical chalk can clear early on the front end; A Cat Named Snipe and One Union have some gas.

Long Shot - One Union

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Maiden claiming $75,000, 3-year-olds

Dapper Gene - Exits a hidden key race, so his debut was stronger than it looks; value from a low percentage barn.

Delahoosee - Tepid chalk, due to Garrett Gomez, in a wide open race; big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming ranks.

Long Shot - Afleet Magic

Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Solo Piano - Like the turn back in distance, which should sharpen his closing speed; still has a nice upside.

Tuscan Evening - Chalk due to some good company he kept in Ireland; joins the Jerry Hollendorfer barn for U.S. debut.

Long Shot - Midnight Crush

Race 4 - 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Brought It - First start in 9-months was a real corker; she has plenty of back class where she can definitely repeat.

Hard Woman - Could get a nice stalking trip in this elongated sprint; can benefit if a speed duel erupts up front.

Long Shot - Purrfectly Fitting

Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $14,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Real Lift - Jeff Mullins mare knows how to win and is in the right spot; saves all the ground and grinds it out late.

Snow On Christmas - A Steve Knapp angle is he likes to drop in class and win; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

Long Shot - Short Sentence

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $43,000, Claiming $62,500, Fillies, 4-year-olds

Mini Do - Her lone hillside turf course start was a winning one; versatile, she can win on the lead or just off of it.

Judy Patootie - If a speed horse can steal this, she appears the most likely one; Victor Espinoza should just send.

Long Shot - Schill

Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 4-year-olds and up

Star Nicholas - Proven to love the synthetic surfaces; not proven around 2-turns, but he is in top form right now.

Zappa - Synthetic turf specialist has slowed a step, but he's still formidable for John Sadler; goes as far as he can.

Long Shot - Rocket Legs

Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Catifornya Dreamin - Is taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; will improve in second start.

Gifted Gina - Another taking the big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming; exits a key race, which flattered her.

Long Shot - Ashee

Best Bet - Solo Piano (race 3)

Santa Anita Monday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/3/$18.60; Long Shots, 9/1/$5.20; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.80

Santa Anita Totals - 328/82/$555.60; Long Shots, 166/27/$306.40; Best Bets, 20/9/$39.40