HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up
Waveland Avenue – Named for the street behind Wrigley Field; came out of nowhere to just miss in his career debut.
Onetimeatbandcamp – Speedy sort will be aided by the turf rail out 24 feet; may take some catching with these.
Long Shot – Relentless Pursuit
Race 2 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Expressive Diva – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to beat these.
Little Brenda – With a field this nondescript, you need to look at the FTS; from the top O’Neill barn, maybe she can.
Long Shot – Gambling Momette
Race 3 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Christina’s Heat – Closed with fury last time and now is stretching back out around 2-turns; may finally be finding herself.
Lovely Olivia – Followed up her maiden claiming win by outrunning her high odds last time; certainly is not outclassed here.
Long Shot – Nicole’s Image
Race 4 – 7 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds
Scat Thief – Game win last time as the favorite; don’t like the rail, but he lacks early speed anyway.
Cayambe – Chased a superior field last time and was not abused late; his race two back is fast enough to upset.
Long Shot – True Man
Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $61,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up
Worchester – Not sure what’s gotten into Alex Solis, but he is riding great right now; will sit a trip and come late.
Hewitts – He’s won three races in a row, will face his toughest test so far; speedball helped by the rail out 24 feet.
Long Shot – Hyperbaric
Race 6 – 1 1/8th miles, Purse $24,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Brother Pegasus – Found a better style in last to lay back and make one run; he figures to be grinding late again.
Demon Inside – Logical chalk is taking a steep class drop to face these; O’Neill adding blinkers on and Bejarano.
Long Shot – Tizmet
Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $63,000, Optional claiming $100,000, 4-year-olds and up
Tropic Storm – Stretching out for the first time, he ran a gutsy race in the Sunshine Millions; good test for stamina.
Giant Gizmo – Logical chalk took a lot of betting in the Strub, but was barely heard from; this is a much easier spot.
Long Shot – Warning Zone
Race 8 – 1 mile, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds
Pointed Home – Twice beaten favorite is dropped into a much easier spot; like the subtle turn back in distance.
Kielbasa – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; tactical speed to sit a nice trip.
Long Shot – Hydrodynamic
Best Bet – Pointed Home (race 8)
Santa Anita Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$20.60; Long Shots, 6/1/$6.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals – 619/139/$1,020.40; Long Shots, 306/43/$533.80; Best Bets, 33/12/$51.20