HORSE RACING

OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Costa Marta - Showed sharp improvement when last seen at Del Mar; if she repeats that effort she'll be tough to handle.

Runway Starlet - Just missed in debut at a boxcar 34/1 odds; figures to be a lot lower today, but could improve even more.

Long Shot - Crazy Tricia

Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

Sandita - Claimed by Bill Spawr off a disappointing loss at Fairplex; like that Rafael Bejarano takes the call on this one.

Honor Your Wager - Chalk was claimed by the underrated Frank Monteleone; he's teamed up with Victor Espinoza for many wins.

Long Shot - Byjohn

Race 3 - 7 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Unusual Smoke - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; red flag move in a very slow field.

Vital Force - Another taking a significant class drop in search of victory; Bob Baffert cull will get claimed, wants the pot.

Long Shot - Quite the Man

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $33,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

Euroglide - Let's shoot for a bomb with the Fairplex underachiever; his turf sprint two back showed a lot of promise.

Kewen - Logical chalk has one strike going against him, he loves to run second; super consistent long or short on grass.

Long Shot - Don't Ya Lovett

Race 5 - 7 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Rush With Thunder - His race two back is fast enough to upset today; like the turn back in distance in a wide open sprint.

Seven Point One - Interesting that Bejarano exits others to ride this long shot for Cerin; steep class drop can only help.

Long Shot - Stand Tall

Race 6 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), Purse $49,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

Cherokee Artist - Gets class relief from four stakes for this first level allowance; first time turf, synthetics races good.

Parko - Dead late closer should save every bit of ground under Fairplex champion rider Martin Pedroza; hear from him late.

Long Shot - Smooth and Savvy

Race 7 - 1 mile, Purse $49,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

Star Nicholas - Always like the inside posts going a mile here; big edge with a short run to the first turn.

Vulcan - Horses who just graduated from MSW typically get way overbet facing winners for the first time; caveat emptor.

Long Shot - Esporte Dos Reis

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $100,000 Morvich Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

Get Funky - Chalk has progressed to be among the best turf sprinters in the country; he'll be running sans steroids in here.

Rebellion - He's the best closer in the field, but I don't like his inside post down the hill; Bejarano must carve a trip.

Long Shot - Easy On The Eye

Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

Concerto's Thunder - Skipped the Fairplex meet after a couple strong showings at Del Mar; tactical speed to sit a trip.

Cajun Gent - Tepid chalk despite Garrett Gomez up; switches barns from John Shirreffs to Cliff Sise, been away 8-months.

Long Shot - Eisenheim

Best Bet - Concerto's Thunder (race 9)

Del Mar Wednesday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/6/$32.00; Long Shots, 10/1/$24.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.00

Del Mar Final Totals - 681/166/$1,126.40; Long Shots, 351/50/$622.20; Best Bets, 42/13/$61.40