HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time noon

Race 1 - 1 1/8th miles, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Bearing Point - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; his chest will puff up facing these.

Dee's Fling - No one in the field wants to go this far, so expect a stagger fest turning for home; class relief will help.

Long Shot - Awesome Shine

Race 2 - 1 1/4 miles (turf), Purse $57,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Lavender Sky - Ran a winning race last time in the San Gorgonio, but was no match for Wait a While; no such monsters today.

Forest Melody - Fought gamely last time while escorted on the lead; could sit a better trip if Sweet Spot leaves her alone.

Long Shot - Loh Collado

Race 3 - 7 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

Behindatthebar - Was off a step slow but was flying fast at the finish; exits a bullet work, minor improvement wins this.

Tiz West - Not a bad debut and offers more value than the heavy favorite; Mandella babies improve with extra experience.

Long Shot - Highest Humor

Race 4 - 7 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds

Tommys Luck - Conlon was hit with a suspension, so we'll see how it affects her stable; this guy gets needed class relief.

Trevor's Clever - Improving colt gets a big rider switch to main man Garrett Gomez; will sit a trip and try to rally late.

Long Shot - Coronas At Delmar

Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis, 3-year-olds

Reflect Times - Dead late closer will see plenty of early pace to chase; some may not want to go this far, we think he will.

Crown of Thorns - Impressive MSW win crushing defenseless foes; gets a big class rise to face these and go 2-turns today.

Long Shot - Meal Penalty

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $100,000 La Habra, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Ariege - Had a trip last time you have to see on race replay to appreciate her chances today; clear sailing, can mow them down.

Set Play - Love the parking lot post going down the hillside turf course; she gets big time class relief to face these.

Long Shot - Yasinisi

Race 7 - 7 furlongs, $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Hystericalady - Should be able to overcome any sort of BC bounce in her season debut; she crushed Pussycat Doll last year.

Society Hostess - She's proven to be best as a late closing sprinter; like that she won her only synthetic start too.

Long Shot - Overly Tempting

Race 8 - 1 mile (turf), $75,000 Thunder Road Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

Storm Military - DRF comment was correct that he was extremely rank last time; Gomez will try again to get him to settle.

Isipingo - He's run some good races and met quality foes in his impressive resume; figures to get overlooked once again.

Long Shot - Mr Napper Tandy

Race 9 - 1 1/8th miles, $300,000 Strub, 4-year-olds

Tiago - The track was ungodly speed favoring for the San Fernando; the deep closers in that race all have a better shot here.

Giant Gizmo - There is no telling where the ceiling is for this Frankel colt; absolutely toyed with his foes in last.

Long Shot - Monzante

Race 10 - 7 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Catch That Thief - Ran a clunker in last, but his two races before that are fast enough to upset; good post for 7-furlongs.

Sonic Comic - Appeared to bounce badly last time after a sharp maiden claiming win two back; offers value if he rebounds.

Long Shot - Arroyo Trabuco

Race 11 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

Ground Frost - Frankel baby got a nice education in his career debut; lost to a potential stakes type in On the Virg.

Point of Sands - Pletcher colt also got a test drive in his debut, and is capable of growing up; like that Gomez is riding.

Long Shot - Chevin

Best Bet - Hystericalady (race 7)

Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$39.80; Long Shots, 8/1/$10.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 352/87/$637.00; Long Shots, 181/27/$332.00; Best Bets, 21/9/$37.60