Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $40,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

7 Tripski – Steve Asmussen drop down has a nice turf resume to handle these; faced much better at Saratoga.

3 Atta Boy Pete – Ran a huge race down the hill two back; Corey Nakatani gets his first shot with this Jerry Hollendorfer.

Long Shot – 8 Causeithertz

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds

4 Cherubim – Gave a good account of himself when second to Kobe’s Back in the San Vicente; main foe is to his outside.

5 Pimpernel – Finally broke thru in last for Bob Baffert; had burned money 3 times as a well beaten favorite.

Long Shot – 3 Beach Hut

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

6 Beautiful Spirit – Won for $12,500 now drops in for $10K; key vote is Rafael Bejarano remains loyal to the cause.

8 Metaxa – Claimed off some good races by Steve Miyadi; he has a knack for improving horses first off the claim.

Long Shot -7 Queen of the Hill

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

1 Winding Way – Was badly overmatched in the Santa Monica; this is a much easier spot and gets main stable rider Gary Stevens.

4 Biorhythm – Tom Proctor has an uncoupled entry, so caveat emptor; this one gets hot riding bugboy Drayden Van Dyke.

Long Shot – 7 Macaabra

Race 5 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

8 Chain Lightning – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; made her debut up in NoCal GGF.

6 Moscato Girl – Has been earning paychecks off the claim by John Sadler; he knows what he has, doesn’t raise her in class.

Long Shot – 2 More Stormyweather

Race 6 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, Fillies, 3-year-olds

2 Kukaluka – Could not overcome a tardy beginning; was running well at the end and this is a much easier spot.

5 Practising – Nice win in U.S. debut for Paddy Gallagher; been given plenty of time off to avoid a Euro bounce.

Long Shot – 4 One More

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 In Dad’s Honor – Ron Ellis is having a terrific meet; not only is he winning at 26 percent, he’s in the money 70 percent.

6 Indygo F M A – Just missed in first race off the claim for Neil Drysdale; Drysdale doesn’t take many and protects this one.

Long Shot – 1 Amanda

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $35,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Always a Chance – Lot of downhill turf course races today; inside posts are less favorable than outside down the hill.

9 Le Fascinator – SoCal newcomer for Tom Proctor; showed ability back east and gets the weight off with bugboy Drayden Van Dyke.

Long Shot – 5 I’m Tops

Best Bet – 4 Cherubim (race 2)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$20.60; Long Shots, 9/1/$15.80; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.00

Santa Anita Park Totals – 771/222/$1,360.20; Long Shots, 382/53/$552.00; Best Bets, 47/24/$101.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 In Kelly’s Defense (4/1) in race 9 at Fair Grounds. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Elaine Kowaleski won at Fair Grounds paying $4.40 to win, $2.60 to place and no show wagering. Stats – 44/24/$250.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick