Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Jan. 11
January 10, 2014 - 9:47 pm
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds
5 Red N Black Attack - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Doug O’Neill has an uncoupled entry.
6 Matt the Hammer - FTS from Peter Miller is more than likely to show early speed; P Val gets the call, trying to break the ice.
Long Shot - 3 Magna Warrior
Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds and up
1 Golden Itiz - Claimed two back by John Sadler who got some black type on him at Longacres; back for a $50K price tag here.
3 Mega Heat - Won at this class two races back at dormant Hollywood Park; last was a bit overmatched.
Long Shot - 6 Planet Sunshine
Race 3 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
5 Anita Marie - Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; key for me is the tandem of Rafael Bejarano and Jerry Hollendorfer.
6 Madoffwiththemoney - Every time I hear this horse’s name I want to wretch; sliding down the claiming ladder some more.
Long Shot - 2 Tribal Dress
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up
3 High On Final - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to boss these around.
1 Spectacularjourney - Been nibbling at purses the last 3 starts; will save all the ground and try and grind it out late.
Long Shot - 5 Fly High
Race 5 - 1 mile, $100,000 Sham, 3-year-olds
3 Life Is a Joy - Has won 3 times, the most in the field; has a big experience edge going into this stakes.
6 Midnight Hawk - Key for me is 5-of-6 horses won their MSW last time; this one did is stylishly with something in reserve.
Long Shot - 1 Kristo
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up
1 Peacenik - Reclaimed by Bill Spawr, one of the best trainer angles in racing; reunited too with Rafeal Bejarano.
10 Street Car - Claimed in last by Michael Catalano; this is a good trainer from back east who will surprise a couple of times.
Long Shot - 4 Bertran Hill
Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
10 Danderek - Was given way to much to do in the lane last out; is capable of sitting a little closer to the early pace.
8 Major Magic - Claimed two back by Robertino Diodoro; has a solid turf resume, just need to draw it back out of him.
Long Shot - 4 Gab Power
Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, $200,000 San Pasqual, 4-year-olds and up
1 Blingo - Been toiling back east for John Shirreffs; can’t blame John for not wanting to winter in frigid New York.
2 Blueshiesnrainbows - Won the Native Diver in wire to wire manner; key thing I see if he seldom strings wins together.
Long Shot - 6 Rousing Sermon
Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, 3-year-olds
12 Melatonin - Has not settled on a running style going into fourth start; has speed to lead or follow close up.
2 Home Run Kitten - Ran evenly in career debut; appears capable a nice improvement for David Hofmans.
Long Shot - 9 Footstepsinbronze
Best Bet - 1 Peacenik (race 6)
Santa Anita Park Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$15.40; Long Shots, 8/2/$17.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.20
Santa Anita Park Totals - 177/59/$351.40; Long Shots, 89/12/$131.80; Best Bets, 11/7/$27.00
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #4 Big Sugar Soda (2/1) in race 8 at Fair Grounds. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Pica won at Fair Grounds paying $3.40 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats - 10/6/$51.60; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick