HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time noon

Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $66,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Buck Basolo - Great way to open a fantastic race card today; dead late closer tries the hill for the first time.

Ginobili - Speedball is the one to catch, but the rail is at its normal position; beaten by a big favorite last time out.

Long Shot - Lost Paradise

Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $68,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

Screen to Screen - Second in the WinStar Derby, hard to figure him losing to these; he is developing a case of seconditis.

Matty's G Force - Was bet down in price last time, then barely ran a step; could redeem himself for forgiving handicappers.

Long Shot - Serengeti

Race 3 - 1 3/4 miles (turf), Purse $75,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

Tissy Fit - Marathon racing is about galloping relaxed at a high cruising speed; ran well behind a stakes caliber field in last.

Super Strut - Just missed last time in a strong effort; he usually has problems when overmatched in a stakes field.

Long Shot - Booming Comps

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs, $200,000 Potrero Grande Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

Surf Cat - Could become one of the very best sprinters in the country; should see a sizzling early pace to set him up.

El Roblar - Sleeper pick is one of two from the Richard Mandella barn; has run well fresh in the past, should be closing.

Long Shot - Peace Chant

Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $44,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

Chadlington - Wide post for a closer like this is a positive, not a negative; he is long overdue to win one of these.

Saxophone - Love running lines like this where he was eased last time; his prior races are fast enough to compete here.

Long Shot - Forest Danz

Race 6 - 1 1/8th miles, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, 3-year-olds

Colonel John - He runs better when he can rate behind moving targets; with Bob Black Jack and Polonius, there will be pace.

El Gato Malo - Highly underrated horse has done everything asked of him; gutsy horse can stalk and sit a perfect trip.

Long Shot - Bob Black Jack

Race 7 - 1 mile (turf), $150,000 Arcadia Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

Artiste Royal - Didn't have a chance in last when Ever a Friend freaked out to win; should be tighter, tougher for this.

Daytona - Tried to do a difficult thing on Fair Grounds grass, win on the lead; should enjoy today's home cooking.

Long Shot - Golden Balls

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $66,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

Lotacat - Got stopped at a pivotal point of the race last time; has the pedigree to be any kind, will finally graduate.

Tangled Tango - Earned a big figure in his career debut; draws post 11 again for this, will try to bottom out the field.

Long Shot - Victor's Cry

Race 9 - 1 mile (turf), $150,000 Providencia Handicap, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Gorgeous Goose - Ran flat last time as an odds-on favorite; she faces similar foes and could rebound nicely today.

Sweeter Still - Small upset in last for Jeff Mullins sub, Ral Ayers; highly regarded, they ran her in a stakes as a maiden.

Long Shot - Carnival Queen

Race 10 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $75,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

Albertus Maximus - Highly regarded colt had a rugged stretch of stakes races last summer; regroups where he'll be heard from.

Paul's Hope - Continues to run great despite constantly changing hands; key is he has really taken to the synthetic surface.

Long Shot - I'm All Out

Race 11 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $70,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Gentle Gale - Her MSW win was better than it seems; she acted up behind the gate, would not load, then won like a rocket.

Ransom Captive - Ran well in her U.S. debut and can be taken to improve even more; Hollendorfer at 6/1 odds, square price.

Long Shot - Tutta Bella

Best Bet - Artiste Royal (race 7)

Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$37.60; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 1,102/266/$2,003.30; Long Shots, 543/70/$885.80; Best Bets, 62/21/$91.80