HORSE RACING
OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Mrs. Rocha – Garrett Gomez is riding first call for Carla Gaines; second start off a 8-month hiatus.
Udriga – Speedball is dropping way down in class tonight; red flag move, but she may have enough left.
Long Shot – Kilmartin Hall
Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $28,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Wild Buddy – John Sadler cull has found comfort at this class; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.
Austie – Sprinter stretching out, but he’s not a speedball; Bejarano will take back and grind it out late.
Long Shot – Matuco
Race 3 – 1 mile, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds
Tiffanyspringsroad – Like that Garrett Gomez remains loyal to the cause; suspect there’s more under the hood.
Justdontcallmejeri – FTS from the clever Mike Mitchell barn; leap of faith in Rafael Bejarano’s choice.
Long Shot – Greyling Eagle
Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Snow on Christmas – Steve Knapp has a knack for winning on the drop down; tactical speed to sit a trip.
Our Road Scholar – Logical chalk is dropping down to the class level she last won at; will close fast.
Long Shot – Tuscan Princess
Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Cajun Corredor – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; blinkers off.
Squire Trelawny – Has run well enough to make the trifecta, but not win; fast enough to be involved.
Long Shot – Cannonball Charlie
Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $37,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Stately Appeal – Dead late closer should be flattered by the race shape; sliding down the class ladder.
Schill – Logical chalk has won her way up the claiming ladder; still, this will be her toughest test.
Long Shot – Smart ‘n Striking
Race 7 – 7 furlongs, Purse $47,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
El Martillo – In a wide open race, I lean toward the best closer; Baffert colt can sit for one run.
Men Only – Big class drop to face a bunch of underachievers; enough speed to secure and early position.
Long Shot – All Man
Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Secret of Love – The less races at this bottom class level the better; good debut, maybe she improves.
Burnt – She has had too many chances for my taste; still the field is so slow and she will finish.
Long Shot – Ronne’s Dream
Best Bet – Cajun Corredor (race 5)
Santa Anita Sunday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 22/3/$15.20; Long Shots, 11/3/$58.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals – 180/39/$296.00; Long Shots, 85/8/$135.00; Best Bets, 10/3/$13.40