HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $22,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds and up
I Beat the Fire – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this winable low class level; draws a favorable inside post.
Tolnai – Speedball may be able to set a modest pace; speed can win over synthetic surface with slow early fractions.
Long Shot – Refusal
Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Bettin an Sweatin – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; square price on Bejarano-Baffert.
Lost Paradise – Tepid chalk in a wide open race; he too is taking a big class drop, debuted for a $32k price tag.
Long Shot – Bigum
Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $30,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds
Fantastic Meeting – Gomez remains loyal despite a fade routine in the deep stretch; saves ground, grinds it out late.
Runaway Wondercat – Hendricks has found this one’s class level, and it’s right here; tactical speed to sit a trip.
Long Shot – Boutrous
Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
No Grande – This race looks more like the fourth at Beulah Park; of the ones with experience, his resume looks best.
Philo Beddoe – FTS from the white hot Gary Stute barn, morning line favorite is a leap of faith; watch the tote for clues.
Long Shot – Nymegen Pita
Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $48,000, Claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Zoemeg – Sadler charge gets class relief off her last race; Gomez takes the call, her race two back is fast enough to upset.
Nootka Island – Knapp wins an awful lot of races dropping his horses in class; tactical speed to get a good position early.
Long Shot – Paparazzi Charm
Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
Okie Dokie Petey – Faltered as a beaten favorite last time out; his race two back is fast enough to thrash this field.
Maeken Noise – Another beaten favorite, he’s from the dangerous Koriner-Gryder combo; better start will help him.
Long Shot – Dark Matter
Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $32,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
River Echo – Second start off a 3-month hiatus; he gets class relief facing restricted Cal-breds, chance to upset.
Blaze It – Seems to be rounding back into form since being claimed by Mark Glatt; has shown the ability to rate.
Long Shot – Partywithlarryz
Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Feel Free to Flee – Gave a strong effort in her turf debut; Bejarano stays loyal, she could improve second time grass.
June My Love – Tepid chalk in a very difficult finale; she has good speed but has shown an inability to stay a distance.
Long Shot – Gloria Jeanne
Best Bet – Okie Dokie Petey (race 6)
Santa Anita Wednesday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/2/$9.40; Long Shots, 8/2/$30.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals – 648/147/$1,075.40; Long Shots, 322/45/$563.80; Best Bets, 35/12/$51.20