HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds

Leavethegateopen - Change of style led to his graduation last time; Garrett Gomez waited and rallied in the lane.

Devil Cat M D - Looked like a rat on grass, a runner on synthetic; won his maiden with complete authority.

Long Shot - Ubetimfast

Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds

Haughty Topper - Part of an uncoupled Mike Mitchell entry in debut; he was the longer priced and flew home late.

Defense King - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; expect Alex Solis to send.

Long Shot - white Lace Jimmy

Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds

Coronas At Delmar - Claimed by the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer, expect improvement; like that he hired Garrett Gomez.

Superfecta - Logical chalk has proven this is his comfort level; tactical speed to sit just off of Summer Haze.

Long Shot - Summer Haze

Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse 446,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

The Legal Blonde - Showing improvement with every U.S. start; may come together today for her at a price.

Spring Party - Got a good education in debut back at Laurel; has turf pedigree and interests Rafael Bejarano to ride.

Long Shot - Ermine Slippers

Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

Keep Thinking - Exits a key race including stakes winner The Pamplemousse; Eoin Harty adds blinkers on for speed.

Valkyrie Missile - Sharp debut where he chased a clever winner in Point Encounter; figures to move forward for Pupye.

Long Shot - Pauper's Prize

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $48,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up

Mr. Gruff - Two aides are the turf rail out 8 feet and the parking lot post is good going down the hillside turf course.

Cat Brulay - Was rallying hard into a soft pace last time and ran out of ground; if he turfs he'll be right there.

Long Shot - Cardinal Zin

Race 7 - 7 furlongs, $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Ventura - I voted for her in the Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter; guess what, this is a sprint today.

Jibboom - If Bobby Frankel doesn't win this grade 1 stakes, there needs to be an investigation; has both barrels loaded.

Long Shot - Baroness Thatcher

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, $70,000 Wishing Well Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Society Hostess - Christophe Clement is one of my favorite trainers; when I can get him at juicy odds, it makes sense.

Sharp Susan - Makes her SoCal debut down the hillside no less; mare is proven on grass albeit at longer distances.

Long Shot - Bahama Mama

Race 9 - 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Sacred Mountain - Logical chalk was in a tight photo last time; gets the ultimate rider switch to Rafael Bejarano.

Kearns Prints - Speedball will try to bottom out the field; he figures to clear hoping for a no passing zone race.

Long Shot - Brinson

Best Bet - Ventura (race 7)

Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/6/$36.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$8.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 441/110/$734.60; Long Shots, 222/34/$385.60; Best Bets, 26/9/$39.40