HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse 438,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

4 Cherokee Heaven – Dead-late closer shows a fondness for the hillside turf course; Marty Jones barn is really heating up.

2 Quietly Mine – Sliding down the claiming ladder in search of victory; another whose best stride will come late.

Long Shot – 5 Dance With Gable

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

3 Smokenomore – Been away 7 months but returns in a very soft spot; like that Bill Spawr hired Rafael Bejarano.

1 Stray Cat – Did everything but win in last in a good effort; saves ground and has good tactical speed.

Long Shot – 6 Clue Me In

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $100,000 San Simeon Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

3 Regally Ready – Has already won 2-of-3 starts down the hillside turf course; proven to like the hill.

2 Camp Victory – Won well off the claim for Mike Mitchell; showed vast improvement, gets another shot down the hill.

Long Shot – 4 Gallant Son

Race 4 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $54,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

2 Artuya – It only seems like Bob Baffert is winning every race he’s in; he wanted dirt, now he’s showing us why.

1 Free Range – Been away 5 months, this is her dirt debut; make sure you keep an eye on the many FTS too.

Long Shot – 7 Orientatious

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $34,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds

2 Hot Citizen – Claimed by Eddie Truman, the key vote is the hiring of Rafael Bejarano; won his only try down the hill.

3 Frequent Fame – It better not rain today with 3 of the first 5 races carded for this hill; chalk closer will fire late.

Long Shot – 5 Siberian Heart

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

9 Whoopsie – Believe it or not, Bob Baffert has won with this rider before; he must do work for the barn in the a.m.

1 R C Magic Amy – FTS from Tim Yakteen, watch the tote board for additional clues; bred to be very quick.

Long Shot – 3 Go Sophia

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $38,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds

3 Cardiff Giant – Returns to what may be his preferred surface; like the fact he was reclaimed by Jorge Periban.

8 California Soldier – Won first time off the claim by Mike Mitchell; Joe Talamo replaces P Val who is at Oaklawn.

Long Shot – 2 Very Fair

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $59,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

2 Lunada Bay – Expect a big day for both Bob Baffert and Rafael Bejarano; won nicely off an 8-month hiatus.

1 Kajiwara – Bullet-fast win down the hill in last; another who won off a long layoff, this one was 9 months.

Long Shot – 3 Italian Rules

Race 9 – 1 1/4 miles (turf), $150,000 Santa Barbara Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

6 Turning Top – Rafael Bejarano exits Malibu Pier for this one; he and his agent rarely make wrong moves.

1 Cozi Rosie – Tiny favorite in a likely 3-horse affair; her last 3 turf races put her on another plane.

Long Shot – 2 Malibu Pier

Race 10 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

7 Benicia Beauty – Beaten favorite was well placed in last, but did not finish; in a weak race, someone has to close.

2 Jade’s Song – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; been away 7 months, key is fitness.

Long Shot – 10 Easy On My Heart

Best Bet – 4 Cherokee Heaven (race 1)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/2/$12.20; Long Shots, 7/1/$6.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 1,114/308/$2,006.20; Long Shots, 555/84/$817.00; Best Bets, 64/28/$111.90

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – 11 Crimson China (10/1) in race 9 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Society’s Chairman ran third at Keeneland paying $3.20 to show. Stats – 63/45/$357.20