Today at Santa Anita Park: March 2, 2014

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies, 4-year-olds

5 Miss American Pie – Been away a full year for John Sadler; key is the huge class drop to face a much easier group.

4 Clearly Confused – Trainer Robertino Diodoro could be lined up for a huge day; he has a series of live horses on the card.

Long Shot – 2 Tempe

Race 2 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $40,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds

6 Smart Promotion – Is 2-for-2 dirt wins albeit at Northlands and Assinoboia; chances are slim and none this will be on turf.

4 Dr. Spin – The quality of the Neil Drysdale barn sure looks different; this one has run three times on dirt with one second.

Long Shot – 7 Botch

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Time for Angie – Has won three straight and appears dead on again; reunited with Rafael Bejarano.

2 South Sound – Exits a pair of good seconds; tactical speed will be helpful over a wet sealed main track.

Long Shot – 5 Exotic Behavior

Race 4 – 7 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds and up

1 Judge Carr – Has been claimed in five straight races; key is the reclaim by Bob Hess Jr., a key trainer angle.

5 D’ Obsession – Odd seeing Rafael Bejarano on a Turf Paradise shipper; how often does he ride for Jeff “Let’s Go” Metz?

Long Shot – 6 Benba

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Candy Eye – Really moved forward with a career-best race in last; key for me is Rafael Bejarano remains loyal to the cause.

2 Honey Ride – Sprinter stretching out figures to show more early speed; not a bad idea with a sealed wet racetrack.

Long Shot – 5 Hugh Knew

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

2 Raven Wild – Sprinter stretching out figures to show more early speed; that should keep the mud out of her face.

6 Joint Attempt – Was a stride late last time in a solid closing effort; will hope for some pace to chase late.

Long Shot – 5 Sky Angel

Race 7 – 1 mile, Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Cook Inlet – Has been a useful, productive horse; he dipped as low as $12,500 and is back up with $25K claimers.

8 Dress Code – More Robertino Diodoro action on today’s card; he must have good owners who allow to keep claiming horses.

Long Shot – 5 Designer

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

1 Tiz Dynamic – Ran way too well to lose in the Super Bowl Party Handicap; the track favors speed since it’s been sealed tight.

8 Planet Sunshine – Claimed by Ted West off a dead game win; he is protected today, which is a positive sign.

Long Shot – 5 Seeking the West

Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

9 Dehere Is Gone – Like the cutback in distance; Bill Spawr has been using Agapito Delgadillo quite often of late.

2 Charbroiled – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to compete with these.

Long Shot – 3 Remind Mee

Best Bet – 6 Time for Angie (race 3)

Santa Anita Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/6/$38.40; Long Shots, 8/3/$23.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 686/203/$1,232.00; Long Shots, 338/42/$448.00; Best Bets, 42/22/$93.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #8 Hardly (8/1) in race 9 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2

win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Philly Ace ran out at Gulfstream Park. Stats – 39/21/$210.60; Follow him on Twitter @richeng4propick