HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

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

Cold Ruler - Was flattered in last when African Gray won next time out; speedy sort can control his own destiny.

Capt. Pike - Was making a winning move in last when he was pinched in the stretch; very logical contender today.

Long Shot - Lahcotah

Race 2 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $56,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Solar Miss - Tiny edge in a real difficult heat; Garrett Gomez can save all the ground and fire fast late.

Sugar Mint - Sure to be an overbet favorite tonight; sharp U.S. debut win, but ran over a suicidal pace duel.

Long Shot - Love to Siphon

Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $39,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds and up

All Man - Has run consistently good races since joining the Julio Canani barn a year ago; will sit and pounce late.

Snow Fighter - Speedball runs first time for a claiming price; will go as fast and as far as he can.

Long Shot - Band of Thunder

Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Speedski - Ran a cropper in last as the 4/5 chalk; reunited with Chantal Sutherland who rode her best two back.

Hannah's Moment - Tepid speed and favorite in this evenly matched field; today's shorter distance will help her.

Long Shot - Wild Apart

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds

Zetterberg - Was done in by a slow pace in a 4-horse field; has the back class to repeat or run a step better.

Suit Yourself - Logical chalk in another open race; two of his last three races are fast enough to beat these.

Long Shot - You Is What You Is

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up

Sognatore - Speedball will relish the turf rail out a maximum 30 feet; Gomez isn't a big send rider, he should here.

Major General - Eastern invader makes his first start under Mike Mitchell; he sometimes gives them a test drive.

Long Shot - Scibelli

Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles,, Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

Limestone Edge - Ran like a short horse in need of a race last time; second start off a 6-month sabbatical.

Rail Trip - Short priced favorite has to answer a major question; will he be as effective going around 2-turns.

Long Shot - Solemn Promise

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up

Army Officer - Fought hard and just gave it up late in last; third start off a 2-month hiatus can be an improvement.

Capi and Max - If you're live in the pick 6 to here, I hope you are very deep into the race; has a ton of back class.

Long Shot - Solo Performance

Best Bet - Cold Ruler (race 1)

Santa Anita Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/2/$12.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$16.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 426/104/$698.60; Long Shots, 214/33/$377.60; Best Bets, 25/9/$39.40