Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Sept. 28

today at santa anita

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 2-year-olds

8 Jones Destiny – Last seen closing week of Del Mar; ran a solid second running first time for a price tag.

2 Trice Up – Horses that run well at Fairplex have a tendency to get overlooked next out; he is in good form.

Long Shot – 7 Harry’s Here

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

8 Hombre Hughes – Claimed the final day of Del Mar by George Lopez; has lots of back class to run a good number today.

7 Hey Yup – May look cheap off his last race for $8K; note the prior races are all at higher class than tonight.

Long Shot – 3 Meadow Road

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $50,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 Brother Francis – His last dirt try was in the Santa Anita Derby; well regarded colt finds a soft spot for a Breeders’ Cup prep.

3 Planet Sunshine – Has shown improvement in two good starts at Del Mar; has never run over organic dirt, but is in good form.

Long Shot – 7 Distort This

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $22,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Around the Twig – Her one turf try was a strong second two race ago in Inglewood; tactical speed to sit a decent trip.

1 Missie Ky I You – Figures to stick inside and save all the ground; last start rallied fast, but too late.

Long Shot – 7 Miss Speed Dating

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $47,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

1 Tribe – Ran well, but green, in debut; started slow, finished fast and should save all the ground tonight.

9 Hotradamus – Ran well in his first dirt try last time at Fairplex; Barry Abrams adding blinkers on.

Long Shot – 4 Just a Mirage

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $50,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

9 Gal Has to Like It – Speedball draws an advantageous parking lot post; Edwin Maldonato is exiting two strong meets in a row.

6 No Silent – Like the turn back from route to sprint today; figures to sit in arrears and make one brush.

Long Shot – 5 Love That Action

Race 7 – 7 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

12 Nextdoorneighbor – Bob Baffert’s only starter on opening day; big class drop so why not win the purse too.

4 Newfound Gold – Like the turn back in distance from route to elongated sprint; will be overlooked with Emerald Downs resume.

Long Shot – 5 Classic Legacy

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $100,000 Eddie D, 3-year-olds and up

6 Comma to the Top – Speedball has relished being kept to sprint distances; last proved he did not need the lead to succeed.

4 Koast – Horse that run well down the hillside course keep that tendency; has won both of his starts over this course.

Long Shot – 12 Canuletmedowneasy

Race 9 – 6 furlongs, Purse $29,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

9 A Little Luckier – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; from the top Carla Gaines barn.

11 Flamboyance – Returns to a claiming price off a dismal MSW try; was claimed two races ago by Peter Miller.

Long Shot – 7 It’s Aine

Best Bet – 6 Brother Francis (race 3)

Del Mar Wednesday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/3/$22.20; Long Shots, 9/1/$6.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$6.40

Del Mar Final Totals – 614/150/$1,102.80; Long Shots, 314/39/$409.00; Best Bets, 35/16/$65.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 Ausus (9/2) in race 4 at Arlington Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Silent Score won at Laurel Park paying $5.80 to win, $4.00 to place and $2.80 to show. Stats – 141/100/$878.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick