Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Jan. 2, 2012

Today at Santa Anita Park

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Belle Gallantey – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; like the cut back in distance.

11 Causeway Express – Another taking a big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming; no one to fear in this group.

Long Shot – 3 Rica’s Ready

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

1 Do Somethin – Her one race in Arcadia was a bomb, maybe a horse for course; saves all the ground inside.

3 Song Girl – Showing improvement with each start; big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot.

Long Shot – 4 Unusual Hottie

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

6 Cat in the Forest – Claimed by Mike Chambers off a sharp win; strong Santa Anita resume, back class to win again.

2 Deluxe Bus – Reclaimed by Gary Sherluck, a strong trainer angle; has won 2-of-4 here at Santa Anita.

Long Shot – 5 Gibson Home Run

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

12 Silver Dragon – Should get a square price with low percentage connections; figures to be flying late from the parking lot.

2 Dixieland Blues – Returned off a year hiatus with a monster effort; only fear is if he bounces off a big comeback.

Long Shot – 9 Madeoftherightstuf

Race 5 – 7 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

4 All the Love – Sliding down the claiming ladder for Mike Mitchell; note her dirt and Santa Anita resume are good.

3 Sizzling Gold – Claimed by the clever Vann Belvoir; convinced this trainer has a high ceiling as his stock improves.

Long Shot – 6 Lutess

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up

8 Romeo Royale – Like that Gary Stute has found this guy’s best distance and surface; big rider switch to Joel Rosario.

6 Gab Power – Rafael Bejarano takes over on this favorite; dead late closer has a powerful closing burst.

Long Shot – 10 Acaffella

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Dust and Diamonds – Steve Asmussen has shipped out some nice runners; best races came on a fast dirt track.

8 Pick and Pray – Was flattered when Teddy’s Promise won a stakes over the weekend; square price due to the connections.

Long Shot – 6 Came West

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), $100,000 Monrovia, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

10 Unzip Me – She is the queen coming down the hillside turf course; always like the wide posts down the hill too.

2 Givine – Has found her niche as a fast closing turf sprinter; the trip will mean everything in such a tough field.

Long Shot -1 Mizdirection

Race 9 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

7 Ultimate Decision – Huge class dropper attracts Joel Rosario; Ron Ellis taking the blinkers off, clearly the one to beat.

10 Tingaleo – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; key vote comes from Garrett Gomez up.

Long Shot – 8 Mucho Bravo

Best Bet – 8 Romeo Royale (race 6)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$38.00; Long Shots, 9/2/$23.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 82/23/$163.80; Long Shots, 42/7/$103.60; Best Bets, 4/1/$4.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #7 Classical Chant (5/2) in race 9 at Parx. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Say A Novena ran second at Gulfstream Park paying $3.60 to place, $2.80 to show. Stats – 5/3/$16.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick