HORSE RACING

TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds

Band of Thunder - Reclaimed by Rosales, a strong trainer angle; his four career wins look good, as does his stalking style.

Instant Action - Sharp maiden claiming win from parking lot post 12; draws better, but faces better in test versus winners.

Long Shot - Cry Me No River

Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $48,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Palladian General - Has a nice stalking style for a route race with multiple speed types; Talamo will settle for one run.

Rushen Heat - Speedball from the rail figures to save all the ground under Nakatani; key is how slow he can make the pace.

Long Shot - Proud Heritage

Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, 2-year-olds

Storm Brave - They may not win, but it won't be for lack of trying; Sadler legs up Gomez for the money shot, short odds.

Uncertain Heights - Knight has the reputation, well earned, of a dangerous baby barn; has shown some quick a.m. drills.

Long Shot - Buzzin Mon

Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $33,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

Oceanus - Offers value considering he won off the claim for Hollendorfer; when he gets them good, they usually stay good.

Imitation - Faltered in last in return to grass route; his Cushion track race two back was very good, the one to repeat.

Long Shot - Cousins Lew

Race 5 - 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $45,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Carly Effect - Beat the morning line favorite Placid Lake at Del Mar, so she's legit; like that Nakatani remains loyal.

Placid Lake - Tepid chalk in a wide open race; the wide post is a hindrance in turf sprints versus down the Arcadia hill.

Long Shot - Tizthen

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Just N Excess - Speedball has come up a little bit short in both career starts; facing seven FTS, watch the tote board.

Smooth Performer - FTS from Sise gets the services of the great Gomez; that alone makes her one to keep an eye on.

Long Shot - Onebadkitty

Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 10 feet), $65,000 War Chant, 3-year-olds

Sandwaki - Pletcher shipper got a rough initiation to U.S. racing at Keeneland; he needed the race and has a high ceiling.

Karazi - Sadler underachiever gets a huge rider switch to Gomez for the wake up call; gets class relief from two Grade 2s.

Long Shot - Warning Zone

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds

Flirting for Love - I'll go with three FTS in this bottom class level; Miller barn had a breakout season in 2007.

Kiss My Crown - Gomez takes the call from O'Neill in here; Gomez figures to win the riding title by a 3-wood distance.

Long Shot - Apple Martini

Best Bet - Storm Brave (race 3)

Santa Anita Sunday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$41.40; Long Shots, 9/1/$6.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Final Totals - 528/117/$846.40; Long Shots, 262/36/$469.20; Best Bets, 31/10/$48.00