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