Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Jan. 18

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

7 Clearly Confused – Tiny edge in a difficult opener; beaten favorite in last time, been knocking on the door.

9 Best by Far – Got chewed up by a suicidal speed duel in last; takes the weight off with 10-pound bugboy tonight.

Long Shot – 4 Second Time

Race 2 – 7 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Starter allowance $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

1 Julio’s Gold – Has won 3 in a row while changing barns each start; with Vladimir Cerin and spotted well to continue streak.

5 Quinnette – As you know by now I like cut backs in distance; this one gets the hot riding Mike Smith for the money shot.

Long Shot – 3 Addendum

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

7 Close to the Edge – Claimed by Dean Pederson and aggressively raised in class; has back class to run a winning race today.

2 Newfound Gold – Ran for this $20K price tag 2 races ago, and won; showed good tactical speed that day to sit a nice trip.

Long Shot – 4 Runaway Wildcat

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming 420,000, 4-year-olds and up

11 Gold Tie Please – I always respect Rafael Bejarano when he rides in a lousy race; ask yourself why is he in this field?

8 Right On Schedule – Many times the less starts the better at this bottom class; ran OK in debut despite a roughed up start.

Long Shot – 12 Cuneo

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $75,000 Megahertz, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

6 Fanticola – Facing a stakes field for the first time; has early speed to lead with the turf rail out 8 feet tonight.

1 Gulsary – May not of wanted to go 9 panels in the F6 Frankel; shortens up to a mile here and facing a softer group.

Long Shot – 2 Moone’s My Name

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

8 Pimpernel – Twice beaten favorite will hope to snap that today; Bob Baffert taking the blinkers off and first time Lasix.

7 Little Curlin – Ran greenly in a well bet debut at Keeneland; keys are Rafael Bejarano and Jerry Hollendorfer teaming up.

Long Shot – 3 Bullwhip

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

8 Moulin de Mougin – Mike Smith and Richard Mandella are usually a devilish duo; this one is stretching out to 2-turns in here.

6 Bee Brave – British import joins the very clever Simon Callahan barn; key vote comes from Rafael Bejarano legging up.

Long Shot – 3 Heat Du Jour

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $200,000 Strub, 4-year-olds

6 Hear the Ghost – The last 2 stakes should set him up for a big effort here; can track the speed and kick it in the lane.

3 Shakin It Up – Superb win in the 7-furlong Malibu off a long layoff; if he doesn’t bounce, he’s capable of upsetting these.

Long Shot – 7 Heir of Storm

Race 9 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

10 Practising – Leap of faith that Paddy Gallagher has this import ready off the layoff; Rafael Bejarano up speaks volumes.

2 Kitten de Pere – Really ran well in last at 33/1 odds; won’t get that price today, even with a 10-pound bugboy up.

Long Shot – 3 Dancinginthestreet

Best Bet – 8 Pimpernel (race 6)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$19.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$7.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 242/81/$486.60; Long Shots, 122/16/$172.40; Best Bets, 15/8/$34.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 My Pal Chrisy (4/1) in race 7 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Bradester won at Gulfstream Park paying $4.60 to win, $3.00 to place and $2.60 to show. Stats – 14/9/$68.20; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick