HORSE RACING

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Lago de Oro – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; adds blinkers on and Joel Rosario.

Der Van – Beaten favorite just could not hold on in the final 50 yards; won’t be favored today and could rebound nicely.

Long Shot – Bear Mountain

Race 2 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $41,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds

Mt. Orient – Has run some good grass races since claimed by Mike Mitchell; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

Self Insured – Some are taking a class drop, but none as drastic as this colt; saves all the ground and grinds it out late.

Long Shot – Kris Silver

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Tripped the Light – Gets big time class relief to face a pretty slow group; showed early speed for the first time in last.

Short Line – The less starts the better at this reduced class level; adds Lasix on and saves all the ground inside.

Long Shot – Devils Martini

Race 4 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $16,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

Spriggzee – Tiny edge in a tight fit of a race; after a slow start, Ral Ayers, nee Jeff Mullins, has been really heating up.

Direct Connect – Iggy Puglisi has not won a race in a long, long time; this horse offers one of his better chances.

Long Shot – The Five J’s

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $36,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

Like a Tiger – Hollendorfer magic won him his first Big Cap, still works for little horses too; ready to fire his best.

Centarvo – Ral Ayers, nee Jeff Mullins, barn is on a hot streak right now; blinkers come off and drops in class.

Long Shot – Orbits World

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Risk Addiction – Speedball tactics have not great lately, but the shorter distance will help; key is the first furlong.

Bondi Babe – Moves from the outside to the inside post today; tactical speed to protect her position.

Long Shot – Suziqcutie

Race 7 – 1 mile, $75,000 Santana Mile Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

Neko Bay – Part of the reason Mike Smith gave up the mount on Daytona in the Muniz at Fair Grounds; he’s loyal to Shirreffs.

Monzante – Came into his own with a solid third in the Strub; faces a much easier task today, Bejarano takes over.

Long Shot – Magnum

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $52,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Eva Beaver – Was rushed too much last time and she gave way late; better post and more patient ride by Tyler Baze.

Athena of Troy – Big upset chance as she figures to get overlooked entirely; Espinoza can take his time and charge late.

Long Shot – Stop the Humor

Race 9 – 1 1/16th miles, $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Ariege – Frankel filly has been improving with every start; suspect she has the ability to upset at a square price.

Sunday Holiday – Eastern invader from the Bill Mott barn has faced the best back there; she can outrun her overlaid odds.

Long Shot – Lovely Isle

Race 10 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $34,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

My Friend Luis – Dead late closer draws the perfect post for that running style down the hill; Talamo just sits chilly.

Exceeding – Smart move by Hollendorfer to drop him in class off a win; he may lose the horse, but he can win the purse.

Long Shot – Brooker

Best Bet – Like a Tiger (race 5)

Santa Anita Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/2/$13.40; Long Shots, 8/2/$23.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 765/173/$1,279.60; Long Shots, 378/52/$658.80; Best Bets, 42/13/$56.60