HORSE RACING
December 29, 2008 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $14,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up
Sandita - Exits a very fast paced elongated sprint; this 2-turn route has to have a much slower pace.
Red Hot Flame - Good try last time in this identical condition; Clinton Potts has a few live mounts today.
Long Shot - Afleet Bud
Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Soldier Betty - Tepid chalk in a really wide open race; she is an in and outer, due for an in race.
Warren's Walk - Ran evenly in last off a 5-month hiatus; sure looked like a test drive to me.
Long Shot - Our Storm
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds
Suit Yourself - Wasn't as sharp last time as his winning race two back; Gomez rides a lot of chalk today.
High Intellect - Just missed for Jeff Mullins in last, now he legs up his main man Clinton Potts; be chugging late.
Long Shot - You Is What You Is
Race 4 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $46,000, Claiming $62,500, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Yasinisi - Takes a small, but significant class drop; she is long overdue for some racing luck.
Lullabytime - Hard fought win in last, now draws the rail in a repeat performance; Gomez saves all the ground.
Long Shot - My Maloof Rocker
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 2-year-olds
Now and Zen - Hard fought win at short odds; Mike Mitchell has an uncoupled entry, this is the higher price.
Major Rock Star - Was overmatched in last, now returns to his comfort level; tactical speed to get involved.
Long Shot - Form a Posse
Race 6 - 1 mile, Purse $46,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Andiron - Bobby Frankel has been talking about this one, and he never brags; gets a 2-YO start on Dec. 29.
Mayor Marv - More hype than performance so far, he is improving with each start; tactical speed to get involved.
Long Shot - Resplendently
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
We Will Rock You - Interesting Eastern invader from the Christophe Clement barn; like that Gomez takes the call.
Double Dip - Like the turn back in distance from 2-turn routes for this elongated sprint; should be flying late.
Long Shot - Flashing Forward
Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $70,000 Impressive Luck Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
Banner Lodge - Speedy sort should have a tactical advantage; proved he can win on the lead, or just off of it.
Lucky J. H. - Logical chalk is coming off a 9-month sabbatical; shown he can run sharp off a long hiatus.
Long Shot - Majestic Diamond
Race 9 - 6 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Tanzanite - Mullins class dropper may overwhelm these with her back class; shoves this mare down our throats.
Steppin Out Rose - Don't mind when elder Hess ships NoCal horses to his son Bob Jr.; need not be much to win.
Long Shot - Brought It
Best Bet - Yasinisi (race 4)
Santa Anita Sunday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/6/$40.20; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.40
Santa Anita Totals - 50/14/$94.80; Long Shots, 23/2/$18.60; Best Bets, 3/2/$6.60