HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 7 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

Benezit - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this very winable spot; like the turn back in distance too.

Eddie the Hat - Logical chalk has plenty of early speed; cozy outside post gives him time to gain position.

Long Shot - Only Be Cause

Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $39,000, Claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

Uncle Jeep - Broke his maiden in impressive fashion; like that Garrett Gomez opted off Liturgical to ride here.

Omega Minister - Failed to make a dent in last, is now dropped in class; like that Rafael Bejarano remains loyal.

Long Shot - Liturgical

Race 3 - 7 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Six Pack Man - Tepid chalk adds blinkers on for the first time; his last two races are not too shabby.

Senor Afortunado - Dead late closer will hope the race falls apart; Joel Rosario has been a pleasant surprise.

Long Shot - Olympic Force

Race 4 - 7 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up

Booted - Was badly overmatched in the grade 2 San Fernando; his race two back is fast enough to beat these.

Aggie Engineer - Sharp looking winner last time appears to have a big upside; has the pedigree win win farther.

Long Shot - Medzendeekron

Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Black Magic Mama - Tries turf for the first time; should like the turn back in distance, will fire fast late.

L.A. Devine - Ran a very fast 44.4 half mile last time and kept on going; will like the turf rail out 15 feet.

Long Shot - G's Heavenly Union

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Mrs. Rocha - Takes a small, but significant, class drop to face these underachievers; best can win it.

Zaya - Ran evenly in last after two sharp tries in previous races; reunited with Octavio Vergara may signal intent.

Long Shot - Suva

Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Carmel Coffee - After two 2-turn seconds, turns back to a sprint; appears better suited as a closing sprinter.

We Will Rock You - Has improved since making his U.S. debut over Keeneland synthetic; saves ground inside.

Long Shot - Gloriously

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds

Let'spickupthepace - Sharp win last time and is in a similar spot tonight; class drop got him in the winner's circle.

Bowie at Saratoga - Jeff Mullins adds blinkers on; big class drop makes him a dangerous foe in here.

Long Shot - Elegant Card

Race 9 - 1 1/16th miles, $300,000 Santa Maria Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Leah's Secret - Has won three straight stakes over three different tracks, she is legit; tacitcal speed to sit a trip.

Bsharpsonata - Her synthetic surface record is also above average; Todd Pletcher filly could have a big season.

Long Shot - Country Star

Race 10 - 7 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Mystification - Like the turn back in distance; he may prove better suited as a 1-turn closing sprinter.

Comical Alibi - Parking lot post should not be a hindrance in this elongated sprint; he too is shortening up.

Long Shot - Baroda Court

Best Bet - Let'spickupthepace (race 8)

Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 13/2/$8.80; Long Shots, 5/2/$15.00; Best Bet, 0/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 598/143/$980.20; Long Shots, 300/45/$513.00; Best Bets, 35/12/$47.20

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #2 Mannington in race 7 at Tampa. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet. On Friday, Appenzell won at Tampa and paid $4.20 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Stats - 8/6/$42.10