HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time noon

Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $34,000, Maiden claiming $75,000, 3-year-olds

Engadin - Enjoyed running first time for a price tag with a robust effort; draws the advantageous rail to save ground.

Sudoku Buddy - Goes 2-turns for the first time; favored due to Gomez, we'll see if he's a late closing sprinter or more.

Long Shot - Bazzoom

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds and up

Smart Hit - Claimed by Hollendorfer, one of the very best in the business; hires Bejarano so expect some improvement.

Publication - Dead late closer has lost a step at 9-YO, but he still tries as hard as he can; best stride will come late.

Long Shot - Monarcho Polo

Race 3 - 1 mile, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Stalemate - Taking a big class drop to the easiest assignment of his career; tactical speed to sit a nice trip throughout.

Afleet Bud - Also look twice at those horses that draw in off the also eligible list; Martin Garcia will ride for P Val.

Long Shot - Mixed Berries

Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, $100,000 El Conejo Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

In Summation - His synthetic track record is extremely good; post and tactical speed to stalk and sit a perfect trip.

Idiot Proof - Can't fault his effort in the BC Sprint at Monmouth; only fear is many BC horses bounce badly next out.

Long Shot - Council Member

Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $38,000, Claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

La Tormenta - Speedball draws a preferred parking lot post for going down the hillside turf course; gets class relief too.

Karlee's Kitten - Didn't run much in last, but her race two back is fast enough to upset; like the turn back in distance.

Long Shot - Butterfly Belle

Race 6 - 7 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

That's Grand - FTS from the Pletcher barn was scratched the other day for this; like that Gomez is riding, watch the tote.

Square Deal - Logical chalk is exiting the best last race speed figure; if he improves a step, he'll be awful tough.

Long Shot - Crown of Thorns

Race 7 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $57,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Siamese Cat - Ran OK in her SoCal debut last time out; Leparoux figures to either keep her closer or move a hair sooner.

Forest Melody - Note that no starter in here won her last start; wide open race, she has tactical speed to sit a trip.

Long Shot - Blanche Sweet

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $32,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Sunday Dress - Interesting price play due in part to an expected intense speed duel; Almeida sits and pounces late.

Sneaky Jack - Speedball favorite draws the rail where Flores decision will be simple; key is how much heat she absorbs.

Long Shot - Ask Sam

Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), $100,000 Monrovia Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Society Hostess - Draw a line thru her last Belmont start and her resume looks outstanding; Valdivia sits a trip and fires.

Victory Spy - Has a lot of speed, but so does the mare inside of her; note that Gomez exits others to ride for Pletcher.

Long Shot - Strong Faith

Race 10 - 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Premier Won - Second best last time in a race fast enough to beat these; Talamo takes over for the money shot.

Kickin Back - Draws an onerous parking lot post, but has enough speed to come over early; Gomez rides in a cheapie.

Long Shot - Suffolk Punch

Best Bet - Stalemate (race 3)

Santa Anita Monday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$30.60; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.20

Santa Anita Totals - 86/19/$138.60; Long Shots, 44/7/$67.20; Best Bets, 5/1/$3.20