HORSE RACING
March 30, 2008 - 9:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up
Hold Your Ground - Mike Smith will ride for Todd Pletcher and not Garrett Gomez; long run to the first turn to get position.
Good Request - Suspect may go favored with Gomez not riding the opener; Frankel takes the blinkers off, big lazy sort.
Long Shot - My King
Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $18,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds
The Supply Program - Ran a winning race for this class level last time out; Eddie Truman has had a good meet, can win another.
Monk - Tepid chalk in a really open event; will save all the ground inside for Martin Pedroza, tactical speed to sit a trip.
Long Shot - Held Up
Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Bella Roja - Let's try for a price with this Wally Dollase baby; was flattered at Churchill when Keep the Peace won next out.
Silk Thunder - Chalk will be ridden by Brice Blanc and not Gomez; that will help his price some, just missed in her debut.
Long Shot - Enchanting Moment
Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $75,000 American Beauty Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Black Mamba - She is Gomez first ride on the card; has faced all the toughies in the SoCal division, she's the boss today.
Forest Melody - Game win last time and is now turning back in distance; suspect she won't have the lead, will stalk the pace.
Long Shot - Diamond Diva
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds
Flip the Penny - Ran like a short horse in last off a 4-month sabbatical; Bill Spawr should have him tighter for this.
Cry Me No River - Favored off a sharp win last time, getting concerned that he may be over the top; I'll try to beat him.
Long Shot - Quinton's Fleet
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Pegasus Lady - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; red hot Chantal Sutherland on the chalk.
Sting'n Inthe Rain - Ran well in last off a 6-month hiatus; if she moves forward, instead of regresses, she's right there.
Long Shot - City Heat
Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $45,000, Starter Handicap $32,000, 4-year-olds and up
Raise the Heat - If you can get Gomez at 5/1 odds in a wide open race, why not; he finds a way to carve out a nice trip.
Exceeding - This is an OPT, Knapp can win this race off the claim on the "other person's training"; proven lawn mower type.
Long Shot - Frankelstein
Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, $100,000 Santa Paula, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Lethal Heat - Getting tested for class, visually both her wins were very impressive; Olguin will need some pace to chase.
Lovely Isle - Short priced favorite will try to wire the field, no easy feat over Cushion track; class relief from grade 1s.
Long Shot - Highland Torree
Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $26,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Justice Is Brief - No starter has ever won on turf, she's run second 4-times; like the wide post for a rallying effort.
Mama Knows Best - She didn't run or win like your typical $32k maiden claimer; Sise figures to protect her from now on.
Long Shot - Let's Go Shopping
Race 10 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
Stomp Dance - Don't underestimate the biggest class drop from MSW to maiden claiming; he faced much tougher at Del Mar.
Dancewiththedevil - Sleeper choice figures to get overlooked from a low percentage barn; tactical speed to sit a trip.
Long Shot - Military Power
Best Bet - Black Mamba (race 4)
Santa Anita Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 22/7/$55.20; Long Shots, 10/1/$12.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 1,036/249/$1,865.00; Long Shots, 512/65/$814.80; Best Bets, 58/19/$83.00