Horse Racing

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Warren’s Hopeful – Her race two back is fast enough to upset these; chance in a wide open affair.

4 Mo Bettah – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to compete.

Long Shot – 3 Dee Dee’s Flight

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $16,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up

1 Royal Mango – Solid favorite in a race full of slowpokes; saves ground and grinds it out late.

3 Just Heat – Good third in last; was flattered when Easy On The Eyes won next out, always a positive sign.

Long Shot – 2 Jack o’ Lantern

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up

2 Britt’s Brother – Hate the post but like the solid MSW debut race; figures to move forward in second start.

1x Bellingham – Must draw in off the also eligible list; love the parking lot post, closed fast in debut.

Long Shot – 4 Celtic Charmer

Race 4 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $16,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up

5 Nitro Active – Big rider switch to Joe Talamo for the money shot; good tactical speed to sit a trip.

7 Easy On The Eye – Chalk has won two in a row, no small feat for a cheap claimer; parking lot post to clock the speed.

Long Shot – 4 Troubletimesthree

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $34,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 El Scorpio – Expect speedball tactics from P Val; beaten chalk takes a big class drop to face these.

4 Position A – Tried to steal a purse in NoCal and just missed; won over Santa Anita dirt two races ago.

Long Shot – 6 Magnificent Blend

Race 6 – 1 mile, Purse $54,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Preshow – Good education in debut sprint; now stretching out around 2-turns, expect more speed today.

9 Bila Shaka – Tepid chalk has never tried dirt in 3 career starts; could love it, may not.

Long Shot – 4 Cookinthisorthat

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $56,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 She’sfitforaking – 6-of-12 in the money finishes on grass; with the big 3 jockeys in Dubai, there’s money to be made.

4 Jax El – Has shown good speed on turf, an asset today with the turf rail out 24 feet; catch her to win.

Long Shot – Melbisha

Race 8 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds

6 Aqua Fever – Jeff Mullins cull ran a winning race for this class two back; repeat of that gets him photo taken.

3 Preferred Mandate – Career best race and finish last out; if he repeats that he has a puncher’s chance.

Long Shot – 5 Fine and Rare

Best Bet – 6 Aqua Fever (race 8)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/5/$22.80; Long Shots, 8/2/$11.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.00

Santa Anita Park Totals – 873/242/$1,532.70; Long Shots, 438/66/$640.80; Best Bets, 51/23/$92.10

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – #9 Shawarma (6/1) in race 1 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Endless Expanse ran second at Gulfstream Park paying $3.00 to place and $2.40 to show. Stats – 49/36/$281.60