Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Jan. 24
January 23, 2014 - 6:26 pm
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 7 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up
4 Corinthian Melody - Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to the bottom; it doesn’t get any easier in SoCal than this.
5 Sheza Eyeopener - She’s had four straight runs at the bottom, so it’s hard to get excited; will have to inherit the lead late.
Long Shot - 3 The Mothership
Race 2 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet0, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds and up
4 Dance With Fate - First time on sod, but this is a classy colt; it’s strictly a prep, San Felipe and SA Derby coming up.
1 I’ll Wrap It Up - Was overmatched in the Sham despite a 4-horse field; this isn’t a much easier facing Dance With Fate.
Long Shot - 3 Flagman
Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
2 Brilliant Jewel - John Shirreffs had some nice horses back East; this one is still a maiden due to a DQ at Gulfstream Park.
5 Tiz Midnight - Any Bob Baffert charge has a big shot unless you count 3 legs; he takes the blinkers off on this one.
Long Shot - 3 Thisonesforricky
Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
7 Glance’s Rule - Any jockey who wins at 24 percent has to have something going for him; put her on the lead, see what happens.
2 Parade Bound - Was gaining some ground late in last; she’s never threatened to win, but there are many slowpokes in here.
Long Shot - 4 Tim’s Go Girl
Race 5 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
5 Yankee Rebel - Claimed by the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer in last; legs up the main man Rafael Bejarano for the money shot.
1 Ransom Canyon - Saul Arias for Rafael Bejarano goes to the chalk; should get good value due to that switching around.
Long Shot - 3 Tommy O
Race 6 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up
5 Peacenik - Claimed by Jeff Bonde who kept Rafael Bejarano loyal; Bill Spawr got him good to win last, possible repeater.
4 Fast N Furius Cat - Picked only due to the red flag drop in class; barns like this cannot afford to give horses away.
Long Shot - 1 Truelee Scrappin
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
9 Diaminda - Bled at Newmarket, appears in U.S. debut with Lasix; no one riding better than Mike Smith at this meet.
5 Mesana - John Shirreffs doesn’t win often with FTS; this one did, and won going away, let’s see what her second race brings.
Long Shot -2 Kathleen Rose
Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds
1 Among the Stars - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Kathy Walsh takes the blinkers off too.
3 Ipolita - Another dropping steep from MSW to maiden claiming; Ron Ellis has been bullseye sharp with 4-of-10 wins this meet.
Long Shot - 6 Controller
Best Bet - 5 Yankee Rebel (race 5)
Santa Anita Park Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$28.80; Long Shots, 7/1/$6.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Park Totals - 310/98/$601.20; Long Shots, 154/19/$202.60; Best Bets, 19/9/$37.20
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #6 Yankee Gambler (2/1) in race 3 at Fair Grounds. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, It’s a Bad Rapit won at Oaklawn Park paying $$5.00 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.80 to show. Stats - 18/11/$84.60; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick