HORSE RACING
February 27, 2009 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Brendolyn - She's had her share of near misses lately; drops in class and adds Garrett Gomez to ride.
Quite a Stormkat - Speedball may be the best bet in racing, lone early speed; catch me if you can.
Long Shot - Shebang
Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $32,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies, 4-year-olds
Dances With Tigers - She is 4-for-6 wins at today's mile distance; Jeff Mullins loves using Chantal Sutherland too.
Mud Sweat 'n Tears - Claimed by Jack Carava and spotted in a smart spot; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.
Long Shot - Ditto This
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up
Minor Mesa - Ran evenly in debut for Carla Gaines; her babies tend to improve with more racing experience.
Itsnotjustagame - Like the turn back in distance, albeit 11-months ago; in the clever hands of Jim Kasparoff.
Long Shot - Grand Turk
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Maiden claiming $100,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Closing Speed - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; like the blinkers on too.
Fine Time to Leave - Good education in debut, fine gallop out despite a poor start; improves second time around.
Long Shot - Entabeni
Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds
Uncle Jeep - Stretches out around 2-turns for the first time; tactical speed to sit close up throughout.
Form a Posse - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low level; was finishing strongly in last.
Long Shot - Doggie Bear
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
Enriched - Half-brother to Lava Man ran well in his career debut; logical improvment puts him right there.
Spirit of Cochise - Tries turf for the first time; like that Garrett Gomez remains loyal, will finish.
Long Shot - Kaptain Kordough
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Sayit - Been away 6-months, but ran against much tougher at Del Mar; shown she likes synthetic surfaces.
Unusual Spirit - Third start off a 3-month hiatus; like the turn back in distance, should be closing fast.
Long Shot - Masterful Miss
Race 8 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $46,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Million Seller - Ran like she needed the race in last; exits a strong heat, Graham Motion takes the blinkers off.
Switch It Up - Second go around for Neil Drysdale baby; expect improvement and with first time Lasix too.
Long Shot - Spanish Bunny
Best Bet - Brendolyn (race 1)
Santa Anita Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/2/$13.00; Long Shots, 8/2/$23.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 749/182/$1,272.40; Long Shots, 370/55/$640.40; Best Bets, 43/15/$55.40
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #5 Cryptic Moon (2/1) in race 8 at Fair Grounds. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Urban Flight ran out at Aqueduct. Stats - 16/12/$86.30