HORSE RACING

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