HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

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

Blushing Bear Cat - Only starter to have finished in the money last time out; has done his best over synthetics.

Zaya - Third start off a 2-month hiatus; tactical speed to lead or follow close up throughout.

Long Shot - Jungle Girl

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

One Union - Speedball will enjoy the turf rail out 24 feet; class drop will really help his chances.

Kruger Park - Logical chalk has tactical speed to sit just off the early pace; real fondness for the hillside course.

Long Shot - Railroad

Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Vague Notion - Alex Solis had choices and rides here for Lisa Lewis; saves ground inside and comes grinding late.

Defense King - Ran evenly last time, his first for a price tag; Solis leaves for Vague Notion, Gomez takes over.

Long Shot - Vague Notion

Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $52,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds

Advice - Highly regarded Todd Pletcher colt goes for a confidence builder on the comeback; been away 5-months.

Unbridled Roman - Another heralded colt was thrust into a stakes in second career start; ran a winning race in last.

Long Shot - Herr Mozart

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Cold Ruler - Garrett Gomez returns for unfinished business; should roll over the top of these late.

Haughty Topper - Beaten favorite was claimed by Matt Chew; big rider switch to Pat Husbands will help the price.

Long Shot - Eddie the Hat

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

Charlie and Chris - Missed by inches in his career debut; if he improves one step he can get his photo taken.

Spendamillionbux - Slow meet for Craig Dollase; typically his babies improve a lot the second time out.

Long Shot - Vaundell

Race 7 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

Midships - Solid third chasing Court Vision and Cowboy Cal in the Hollwyood Derby; none such animals in here.

Slam Dunk - Chased the heralded Rail Trip in last; that exercise should have him plenty tighter for this start.

Long Shot - Patch of Blue

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Pacific Halo - Has run winning races for this bottom class level; could become the definition of seconditis.

Judge Kent - Dead late closer is improving with every start; like the turn back in distance to an elongated sprint.

Long Shot - Minnie's Boy

Best Bet - Midships (race 7)

Santa Anita Wednesday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$54.00; Long Shots, 8/2/$18.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80

Santa Anita Totals - 734/180/$1,259.40; Long Shots, 362/53/$617.40; Best Bets, 42/15/$55.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #6 Urban Flight (5/2) in race 7 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Personal Shopper was scratched at Charles Town. Stats - 15/12/$86.30