HORSE RACING
March 16, 2008 - 9:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $30,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Hottodi - Draws well for a mile with a very short run to the first turn; gets big time class relief from a stakes for this.
Queen Holly - Martin Garcia takes over for the injured Bejarano; Bejarano will be out a few weeks, his mounts remain very live.
Long Shot - Applaud Dubai
Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds
Benchmark Kid - Another one of Bejarano's mounts, this one picked up by Jose Valdivia; claimed by Cerin, expect improvement.
Raingear - Was bothered more than once last time, losing all chance; would be a square price if he goes off at 5/1 odds.
Long Shot - Youarefun
Race 3 - 7 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up
Instant Action - Proves that those who love synthetic surfaces can move up in class quickly; suspect he may get overlooked.
Valiant Effort - Ran a monster race last time, that if repeated, will win again today; maybe best as a late closing sprinter.
Long Shot - Informed
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Kamsack - Potential long shot winner got a test drive in last off a 40-month hiatus; switch to Joe Talamo for the money shot.
Seven Secrets - Logical chalk off a good try in last; claimed by Sadler, the Bejarano mount has been picked up by Alex Solis.
Long Shot - Wheaton Hall
Race 5 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Smooth Performer - You need to see her trip last time to appreciate the pickle she was in; clear sailing can lead to a win.
Be Glorious - Grinder was in perfect position last time but just didn't kick it in; maybe she can fulfill some of her promise.
Long Shot - Rareville
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Diamond Dave - When Mullins drops them down as dramatically as this, he's supposed to win; also he expects to lose the horse.
Scottish Diamond - Another Bejarano mount, this one picked up by Joel Rosario; suspect he can be ridden with more patience.
Long Shot - Notarized
Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $57,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Santa Teresita - Highly regarded filly takes on winners, and turf, for the first time; upset chance in a wide open race.
Gulchie - Eastern invader has a good turf resume, including some good races in France; could be overlooked and not respected.
Long Shot - Marzelline
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds
Odometer - FTS from the Jeff Mullins barn has been working great for career debut; by top baby sire Trippi, watch the tote.
Lotacat - Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; not enamored with the rail, but Solis figures to take him back off the pace.
Long Shot - No Lien Here
Race 9 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $100,000 Crystal Water Handicap, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
Celtic Dreamin - If the turf races get switched to the main track, he moves way up; draw a line thru the Big Cap debacle.
Add Heat - He may be better at shorter distances like this; tactical speed for Valdivia to sit a trip and grind it out.
Long Shot - Medzendeekron
Race 10 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Stormy Taters - Had an extraordinary wide trip last time, at least 8-wide turning for home; any saving of ground will help.
Perfect Cast - Exits a bullet work to face a bunch of slowpokes; beaten favorite has tactical speed to sit a nice trip.
Long Shot - Golden Volponi
Best Bet - Smooth Performer (race 5)
Santa Anita Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/5/$25.60; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60
Santa Anita Totals - 869/204/$1,473.40; Long Shots, 429/57/$707.70; Best Bets, 48/16/$67.40