HORSE RACING

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