HORSE RACING

OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

Atticus Jack - In a race this poor, you look at the FTS for help; from the Doug O'Neill barn.

Rio Romeo - Of the ones with experience, his two races look OK; saves the ground for bugboy Meier.

Long Shot - Just For Us

Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Humidity - Dropping down in class, but also stretching out for the first time in a while; good tactical speed.

Improvising Gal - Sliding down the claiming ladder for Jorge Periban; need not be much to upset.

Long Shot - E Bradley

Race 3 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Ima Offended - Claimed by Tom Bell and spotted nicely to graduate; lots of speed for Baze to nurse along.

Bella Castagna - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; will sit for one run.

Long Shot - Grey Lassie

Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $49,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

Parc des Princes - Speedball from Bobby Frankel gets top pilot in Rafael Bejarano; not sure who wants to duel.

Steven's Being - Dead late closer will need some help up front; lost Bejarano who opted for the favorite.

Long Shot - Laddies Poker

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $29,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up

Make Mine Vodka - Dead late closer in a race jammed with early speed; can rebound with a top effort.

Wheaton Hall - Shown he can win without the early lead; could sit a perfect stalking trip.

Long Shot - Capt. Joe Blow

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

Echo West - Speedball ran well in debut and can be taken to improve a step; plays catch me if you can.

Smokenomore - FTS from Jerry Hollendorfer who hires main man Garrett Gomez; see the tote board for clues.

Long Shot - Fil's Regent

Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $27,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Sheza Maneater - Speedy sort switches from turf to synthetic; could be lone speed, a dangerous foe.

Good Shot Mally - Dead late closer can rebound to his maiden win two back; it's fast enough to upset these.

Long Shot - Lovely Olivia

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), $65,000 Kangaroo Court, 3-year-olds and up

Delta Storm - I always prefer the outside posts going down the hillside turf course; stalks and pounces.

Kruger Park - Won on the front end, which is atypical for his usual style; expect a patient try tonight.

Long Shot - Bad Boy

Race 9 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds

Vanaldi - Slight edge in a difficult finale; both his Fairplex races were solid, must hold his good form.

Bayngen Bartok - Saves all the ground in a contentious field; sliding down the claiming ladder to this.

Long Shot - Richer Gear

Best Bet - Delta Storm (race 8)

Santa Anita Sunday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/3/$12.20; Long Shots, 9/2/$24.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.80

Santa Anita Totals - 258/55/$399.60; Long Shots, 127/17/$218.80; Best Bets, 15/6/$25.40