HORSE RACING
OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $12,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Distorted View - Baffert cull gets a slight nudge from me in here; she has back class and enough speed to hang around.
Miss Melissa - Did a classic pop and stop last time facing slightly tougher; she has faced and fared against tougher.
Long Shot - Jump Rope Girl
Race 2 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $20,000, Starter allowance $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Topper's Gold - Claimed by Hendricks off a solid second over Polytrack; she has some turf experience, offers square value.
Easy Obsession - Tepid chalk is strictly the one to beat; claimed by a low percentage trainer from a high percentage one.
Long Shot - Marathon Mom
Race 3 - 1 mile, Purse $16,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Fallen Leaf - This race should be part of the pick 6 carryover, a nearly impossible event; has taken betting in all starts.
Skimming Bye - In a dysfunctional race, you need to try and beat the favorite; two starts means he could still improve.
Long Shot - Private Wind
Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $43,000, 3-year-olds and up
Monte Bajo - At least he looks like a solid favorite, especially as a first time gelding; will be flying down the hill.
Clued In - Good parking lot post for this hillside turf course heat; been away 6-months but need not be much to beat these.
Long Shot - Moteado
Race 5 - 7 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up
Beltline Jack - I'll bet you a nickel he doesn't go off at 30/1, his morning line odds; chance to rebound at a fair price.
Semi Lost - Logical chalk from the Mullins barn; he conducts fire sales like this quite often, some win and some don't.
Long Shot - Datticus
Race 6 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Tropical Bid - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; Sise babies typically improve second time out.
Ellie's Buddha - Have to be concerned the attention on Biancone is affecting the barn's performance; she's the one to beat.
Long Shot - Queens Boulevard
Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Mellow Cammie - Has had excuses in recent starts; didn't handle Fairplex turns in last and didn't want 2-turns before that.
Owen Roe O'Neill - Returns from a 2-race NoCal excursion; he has a chance to rebound at honest odds with top jock Baze up.
Long Shot - Shakin N Dancin
Race 8 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $100,000 Harold C. Ramser Handicap, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Supposition - Gets big time class relief from the grade 1 Oaks for this; if she can relax some, she'll be more effective.
Silky Smooth - Mullins barn is beginning to fire on all cylinders; sleeper choice has run well in all her turf starts.
Long Shot - Gotta Have Her
Race 9 - 7 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up
Street Boss - His closing style will be flattered by the additional furlong; will always be at the mercy of the pace.
Six Pack Abs - Really improved off the claim by Peery; takes the blinkers off today, may run even more relaxed.
Long Shot - Major Pleasure
Race 10 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Mangyan Model - Suspect most will go hell bent for leather on the front end; she could sit the perfect trip and win late.
Lower the Rate - Speedy sort at least has a track record to go by; beaten favorite figures to bust them wire to wire.
Long Shot - Brigitta
Best Bet - Monte Bajo (race 4)
Santa Anita Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/3/$29.80; Long Shots, 10/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.00
Santa Anita Totals - 253/54/$388.00; Long Shots, 129/13/$145.60; Best Bets, 15/4/$17.80
