HORSE RACING
December 30, 2007 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time Noon
Race 1 – 7 furlongs, Purse $46,000, Claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up
He’s the Rage – Reunited with Ted West, which has been a very successful union; tactical speed to sit a trip and fire late.
Switzerland – Faltered late last time, but look who beat him, future stakes winner Johnny Eves; gets class relief today.
Long Shot – Midwesterner
Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Risk Addiction – Second best last time while showing high early speed; if she clears, she could get a key mid-race breather.
Witchy Meeting – Dead late closer can’t change his stripes despite the lone speed on Risk Addiction; does what she can late.
Long Shot – Wearehaving Funyet
Race 3 – 1 mile, Purse $18,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds
Slew Man Slew – His last two races really stink; but he’s run some big races before and is sliding down the class ladder.
Mo’s Pocolino – Did everything but win last time in a dead game effort; will again set the early pace and try to wire them.
Long Shot – Held Up
Race 4 – 1 mile, Purse $61,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up
Giant Gizmo – Second best last time facing similar class foes; Frankel colt keeps Bejarano who is riding like a maniac.
Men Only – Gomez for Bejarano who exits to ride Giant Gizmo; tactical speed to maintain good inside position, grinds late.
Long Shot – Gallardo
Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $52,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Queen Ofthe Catsle – Speedy sort will be helped with the turf rail out 8 feet; figures to be able to protect his position.
Say You Will – Like the turn back in distance where she will find her best stride late; makes her SoCal debut with Nakatani.
Long Shot – Athena of Troy
Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Nothingbutasmile – Mullins baby had an even paced, innocuous debut; they have a tendency to improve a lot in start two.
Warren’s R Ready – Found her best stride too late, chance to show some major improvement; Flores will be riding for P Val.
Long Shot – Spinning Yarns
Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $75,000 Blue Norther, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Ariege – U.S. debut for Frankel and Bejarano combo; regarded enough to run in group stakes, has solid Timeform ratings too.
Golden Doc A – Tepid chalk in a tough race; has good tactical speed to maintain good position, be ready for a dogfight.
Long Shot – Yasinisi
Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Real Lift – Tepid favorite has won twice in a row since being claimed by Sherman; has six career wins so she gets it done.
Feeling Joy – Taking a steep class drop to face this nondescript group; like that Michael Baze takes the call.
Long Shot – Romanced
Race 9 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
Storm Military – No U.S. stakes yet, but Frankel has carefully built his foundation; this could be a top turfer all year.
Daytona – Like that he’s paired wins and appears capable of holding on to his form; will save all the ground under Smith.
Long Shot – Proudinsky
Race 10 – 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds
Prize of the City – Speedball is adding blinkers on to give him more octane; Nakatani will pop and go and not look back.
Warren’s Blvd. – Huge rider switch to Bejarano for the money shot; will stalk the pace and grind the foes down late.
Long Shot – Perfectly Sane
Best Bet – Risk Addiction (race 2)
Santa Anita Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/5/$23.60; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals – 50/11/$78.40; Long Shots, 26/4/$31.20; Best Bets, 3/0/$0