HORSE RACING
October 19, 2008 - 9:00 pm
OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Flew First Class - Finished behind the favorite in last; has Garrett Gomez up and could improve even more.
Burna Dette - Logical chalk ran a winning race for this level last time; she is strictly the one to beat.
Long Shot - Sister Lucy
Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds
Twin Turbo - Too little too late in last; should benefit most from an extra furlong in this elongated sprint.
Roadside Rest - Shortens up in distance after fading around 2-turns in last; better as a late closing sprinter.
Long Shot - Specific Rule
Race 3 - 7 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Mark S the Cooler - Outran his 26/1 odds in debut; big rider switch to Gomez signals Doug O'Neill's intentions.
Empire House - Would like this colt better except the rail has been death in sprints; a very talented foe.
Long Shot - When We Met
Race 4 - 7 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up
Spoils of Excess - Unlucky Bill Spawr barn is 7-of-15 seconds so far; slides down the claiming ladder for this.
Ascari - Another taking a big class drop in search of victory; like the turn back in distance from a 2-turn race.
Long Shot - Black Tux
Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $14,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up
Smoocher - Mike Mitchell cull went unclaimed last time despite a decisive win; he considers this a free roll.
Plan for Fun - Exits a much tougher last race than most of these; he's an honest old grinder who runs on late.
Long Shot - Cee Mister B
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $47,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up
Pocosin's Game Boy - Speedy sort may have others to toil with, but the turf rail is out 15 feet; the Gomez factor.
Sassou - Been away 5-months for freshening; turns back in distance so he'll be slow early and very fast late.
Long Shot - Wild Diplomat
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
B. A. Homebody - Dead late closer should be sitting closer to the pace today; like that Rafael Bejarano takes over.
Time Tosay Goodbye - Tepid chalk in a wide open race; Chantal Sutherland rides better on long shots and for Abrams.
Long Shot - Scout About
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, $75,000 Anoakia, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Alpha Kitten - Brilliant debut win for trainer John Sadler; steps up to stakes but she has the look of a good one.
Toro Bonito - Ran greenly in the Oak Leaf in a learning effort; she faces easier today and could step up big time.
Long Shot - Broadway Hennessey
Race 9 - 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Lakota Gold - Flashed high cheese last time after an even debut; big class drop for third start, could be his best.
Sailboat Sam - Claimed by Dan Hendricks and kept in the closet for 8-months; drop down could be a red flag, maybe not.
Long Shot - El Senor Halo
Best Bet - Mark S the Cooler (race 3)
Santa Anita Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 20/4/$28.00; Long Shots, 9/2/$19.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 342/80/$558.00; Long Shots, 166/23/$275.00; Best Bets, 20/7/$30.20