HORSE RACING
October 16, 2008 - 9:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Sarah's Melody - Ran miserably off the claim for Jim Cassidy in last; she's better than that, another chance.
Argenta - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to compete.
Long Shot - At Your Service
Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up
Warren's Scooter - Class drop lower than the level he last won at; enough back class to pound these.
Common Trust - Jeff Mullins barn has been underperforming and ice cold; logical chalk with Garrett Gomez.
Long Shot - Prime Ruler
Race 3 - 1 mile, Purse $27,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
Kielbasa - Ran well enough to beat most of these last time; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.
Ballestero - Like that Garrett Gomez remains loyal to the cause; switches from turf to first synthetic try.
Long Shot - Here Comes Buster
Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $29,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up
Mt. Orient - He's lost some tough verdicts of late; third start off a 4-month hiatus should be his best.
Euroglide - Flattered when Kewen won on Wednesday; poor start last time cost him all chance, deep closer.
Long Shot - Kingdom Come
Race 5 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
True Freedom - In a race this bad, the less starts the better; broke poorly in debut then ran OK.
Kinky Rule - FTS is a tepid favorite in an awful looking race; has worked well and has win early pedigree.
Long Shot - Olympic Stripes
Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $32,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Marqz Melody - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this very winable level; tactical speed to sit a trip.
Lighten Up Rule - See above to how cold the Mullins barn has been; the one to beat at very short odds.
Long Shot - Forest Miss
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $50,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Simply Run - The question will be if Caesar Dominguez can keep him sharp off the claim from John Sadler.
Brendolyn - Tepid chalk in the best betting race on the card; dead late closer runs his race everytime.
Long Shot - Whatsitgonnatake
Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Motorboat - Big class drop woke him up in last; key was he started poorly and had too much to make up.
Something Stellar - Sharp improvement last time on the class drop; shot to upset if he's for real.
Long Shot - Sky Patriot
Best Bet - Kielbasa (race 3)
Santa Anita Wednesday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$17.20; Long Shots, 8/3/$20.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 385/90/$600.60; Long Shots, 196/28/$327.60; Best Bets, 23/12/$52.80