HORSE RACING

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