HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $43,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

Wild Diplomat - Like the turn back in distance from a 2-turn mile to this elongated sprint; can sit a perfect trip.

Fiery Trippi - Tepid favorite in a wide open MSW affair; dead late closer should not be hindered by a parking lot post.

Long Shot - Orientation Hall

Race 2 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Startin Fresh - Tight edge in a very difficult maiden race; taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming.

Sylvana - Second start off a 18-month sabbatical; showed high cheese and is also plummeting from MSW to claiming.

Long Shot - Toy's Toy

Race 3 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $12,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up

Smokin Forest - Turned in a cropper last time after two straight wins; if he can bounce back, he's fast enough to upset.

Zayed - Tepid chalk in a race full of question marks; taking a slight, but significant, drop in class for this.

Long Shot - I'magambler

Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $26,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Warren's Adventure - Gets class relief from a minor stakes for this first level condition; tactical speed to sit a trip.

Marqz Melody - Weak favorite can get the best trip saving all the ground inside; she is making her turf debut today.

Long Shot - Promise of Spring

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up

Native Success - Continues sliding down the claiming ladder to this bottom level; may be now or never facing slowpokes.

Exactly - Been away 8-month, but showed some ability before going on hiatus; need not be much to compete with these.

Long Shot - Wild Places

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Kula Girl - She could be the speed of the speed in a race jammed with gas; her race two back is fast enough to upset.

Sportie's Squeeze - Will be one of the ones closing into an expected wicked pace; taking a subtle turn back in distance.

Long Shot - Smokey Route

Race 7 - 1 mile, Purse $47,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

Cotton King - Frankel has done everything but put him into a claimer in search of victory; quickly running out of chances.

Wise One - Got a test drive in last off a 30-month sabbatical; Cerin figures to wind him tighter for return start #2.

Long Shot - Choctaw Chief

Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds

Smokin White Flyin - Has been well bet in both career starts; like that Nakatani remains loyal for the money shot.

Latin Officer - Like when they get in off the also eligible list; didn't handle first time blinkers on well, can improve.

Long Shot - Frog Sauce

Best Bet - Native Success (race 5)

Santa Anita Wednesday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/2/$22.40; Long Shots, 8/4/$35.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals - 375/77/$571.20; Long Shots, 187/29/$389.80; Best Bets, 22/5/$27.00