HORSE RACING

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