HORSE RACING

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