HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

So Hottie - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; got a test drive off a year hiatus.

Gale in the Vale - Tepid chalk in a wide open race; been away 11-months, returns with smoking Joe Talamo up.

Long Shot - Kafe

Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

Bridging - Was well bet in debut when chasing Wall Street Wonder; Mike Pupye babies improve a lot second time out.

Turk - Odds-on favorite has shown a propensity for losing when he should be winning; extremely short price.

Long Shot - Mythical Power

Race 3 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 4-year-olds and up

Mr. Napper Tandy - Takes a solid class drop to face easier foes today; choice be it grass or synthetic surface.

Victorian Prince - Speedball from the rail and off the claim by Steve Knapp; helped by the turf rail out 24 feet.

Long Shot - Sartorial

Race 4 - 1 mile, Purse $14,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

South Coast - Taking a red flag drop in class; if Marty Jones charge has anything left, he should win this.

Boule d'Or - Jeff Mullins keeps dropping him in class, yet no takers; keeps grinding out paychecks for the barn.

Long Shot - Raise the Heat

Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Voodoo's Vision - Solid second last time as the favorite; she's likely found her comfort zone, should step up.

Thunder Babydoll - Peter Eurton barn has been winning races in bunches under the radar; found her best stride late.

Long Shot - Lady Kenzie

Race 6 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $42,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds

Rumba Along - Has won two in a row, draws well to make it three; Chantal Sutherland saves all the ground inside.

Funny Me - Third start off the claim by Mike Mitchell; poor post, but Rafael Bejarano can figure out a trip.

Long Shot - Rivergrade Boy

Race 7 - 1 mile, Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Theodora - She's bred to run two miles, much less a mile today; about time she starts strutting her stuff.

Thunder and Ice - Speedball will relish the turf rail out 24 feet; Aaron Gryder needs to harness her high octane.

Long Shot - Tripped the Light

Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Mickey Rocks - Ran a better than looked race in last; rallied well into a slow paced race, sits closer today.

You Wood - Tepid chalk in a wide open race; lost a narrow photo in last, one step improvement can win it.

Long Shot - Bruin Bench

Best Bet - South Coast (race 4)

Santa Anita Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/0/$0; Long Shots, 8/2/$25.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 585/141/$971.40; Long Shots, 295/43/$498.00; Best Bets, 35/12/$47.20

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #7 Appenzell in race 6 at Tampa. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet. On Thursday, Aqueduct canceled racing. Stats - 7/5/$32.30