HORSE RACING
February 15, 2008 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
Excessive Dreamer - Made a quantuum leap last time, albeit against easier competition; similar efforts makes him tough.
Luck Is Mandatory - Was overmatched in an open MSW last time; these are Cal-breds and his race two back can beat these.
Long Shot - Partywithlarryz
Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $18,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds
Mo's Pocolino - Speedy sort should be sent to the front by Joe Talamo; then he can throttle down the early fractions.
Cactus Lighting - Logical chalk ran very well last time at 7-furlongs; stretching out around 2-turns for the first time.
Long Shot - Dixie Music Roll
Race 3 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
Day of the South - This field is so poor, this FTS from Adam Kitchingman is favored; fast pedigree, fast works, we'll see.
Maeken Noise - Has a lot of early speed, but no killer instinct in the final furlong; maybe a change of tactics would help.
Long Shot - First Opportunity
Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Remember Seattle - Tepid chalk ran well last time off a 3-month hiatus; exits a bullet work and could be a lot tighter.
Beau Chant - It'll be interesting to see the trip the Mig can carve out from parking lot post 14; Black adds Lasix today.
Long Shot - Princess Arjumand
Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $44,000, 4-year-olds
Spoils of Excess - Ran a winning race for this class level last time out; similar effort makes him the one to beat.
Mt. Orient - Like the turn back in distance from one mile for down the hillside turf course; Gomez sits still for one move.
Long Shot - Diamond Dave
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up
Union Scale - Was even money in his debut and ran like 20/1; Gomez stays loyal which tells me this guy can run a little.
Orientate Slew - Was bothered badly last time when a runner forced him way to the outside; Nakatani wrapped up after that.
Long Shot - Chestnut Touch
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Swiss Diva - Gets big time class relief from the grade 1 La Brea for this; she hasn't been facing many softballs lately.
Angel Craft - She has to be a major disappointment for the Drysdale barn; she has talent, can run fast, but refuses to win.
Long Shot - Comedy Girl
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up
Instant Action - Claimed by Marlow and aggressively spotted in allowance class; this guy absolutely loves synthetic surfaces.
Communicated - Pletcher colt ran just once, but it was a humdinger at Monmouth last summer; question is how tight will he be.
Long Shot - Tiztime
Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $26,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Capi and Max - Has good tactical speed to take advantage of the turf rail being out 15 feet; stalks and pounces late.
Lemon - Don't really like a maiden claimer facing winners for the first time; he runs pretty fast and retains Gomez.
Long Shot - Sacred Mountain
Best Bet - Instant Action (race 8)
Santa Anita Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/2/$9.20; Long Shots, 7/1/$9.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.20
Santa Anita Totals - 460/106/$746.00; Long Shots, 234/33/$415.80; Best Bets, 26/11/$47.40