HORSE RACING
March 23, 2008 - 9:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 7 furlongs, Purse $34,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Miss Connie Sue - Hollendorfer claim is right in his wheelhouse; he hires Garrett Gomez to ride, an awful lot to like.
No Ka Oi - Claimed by Carava and is capable of improving off a troubled trip; Garcia picks up the mount from Bejarano.
Long Shot - Key Rose
Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
American Symphony - Logical chalk figures to be right there again off his last two starts; stalking role for Gryder.
Riff - Speedball tactics almost worked facing tougher last time out; Michael Baze should let him go and see what happens.
Long Shot - Go Cardinal Gal
Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $61,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up
Mr Napper Tandy - Getting big class relief off three stakes races for this; if he holds his form he'll be awful tough.
Native Success - Chance to be lone speed tonight, the most dangerous play in racing; won 3-times going wire-to-wire.
Long Shot - Mi Arcobaleno
Race 4 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Lovely Olivia - Her form has improved dramatically with a switch to grass; should get a good trip and be grinding late.
Nicole's Image - Speedy sort appears flexible enough to lead or sit just off of it; offers some value at 9/2 morning line.
Long Shot - Mymomawzafandancer
Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies, 4-year-olds
Stress Free - Gary Stute barn has been one of the unsong stories of this meeting; won for $16k and is dropped to $12,500.
Gone Californian - Has run a couple of good races for Avila off the claim; figures to be one of the best closers in the race.
Long Shot - Dine At Nine
Race 6 - 7 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds
Madeo - John Shirreffs babies typically improve a lot in second start; Mike Smith is his main man, baby closed fast in debut.
Handsome Thomas - FTS from the Melody Conlon barn that has been getting hot lately; the tote board will answer your questions.
Long Shot - A. P. Answer
Race 7 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), $150,000 Santa Ana Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Colina Verde - Brazilian champion showed us why in her U.S. debut; she won despite being far from cranked up, tighter today.
Costume - Logical horse to beat off a gutsy win for Garrett Gomez and Bobby Frankel; Gomez can lead or follow close up.
Long Shot - Lavender Sky
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Zilla - Favored entry gives you two for the price of one; MSW win was flattered when Renegade Ruby won her next time out.
Persian Honey - Brazilian import makes her U.S. debut for Paulo Lobo; could have a high ceiling and was privately purchased.
Long Shot - Steppin Out Rose
Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Good Time Sally - Was flattered when Lethal Heat showed she is was the real deal; Gomez and Kathy Walsh have been en fuego.
Mini Do - Speedy sort draws a cozy outside post for going down the hillside turf course; tries turf for the first time.
Long Shot - Change Tack
Best Bet - Miss Connie Sue (race 1)
Santa Anita Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/5/$37.60; Long Shots, 10/3/$37.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$6.80
Santa Anita Totals - 950/223/$1,659.20; Long Shots, 470/61/$756.40; Best Bets, 53/17/$74.20