Horse Racing

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $25,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds

1 Straightomidnight – Looks like trainer A. C. Avila is offering a gimme to his returning rider Omar Berrio; the one to beat.

6 Coo Cachoo – Speedball tactics are pretty effective on the new dirt track; Joel Rosario plays catch me if you can.

Long Shot – 2 Cahill Country

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

5 Chiloquin – Solid winner last time figures to sit a perfect stalking trip; this field is more contentious than it seems.

1 Luckarack – First race for a price tag since winning his debut; expect Jeff Mullins barn to start heating up soon.

Long Shot – 2 Tonzatrouble

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds

3 Buyer’s Remorse – Logical chalk won a mile turf race last spring in Arcadia; tactical speed to sit a nice trip throughout.

1 Stephen’s Got Hope – First race for a price tag since his career debut; saves all the ground inside and grinds it out late.

Long Shot – 5 California Soldier

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $54,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

1 Da Ruler – Bob Baffert only appears to be winning every race he’s in; in actuality, he’s winning one out of every two races.

7 Albergatti – One of 6 FTS among this field of 7; from a top baby barn in Steve Asmussen, like that he hires Garrett Gomez.

Long Shot – 3 Doubledown On Ten

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Claiming $40,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 No Afillyation – Interesting placement for $40K price tag off a MSW win; she’s the logical winner with a repeat effort.

7 Bella Palooza – Two-time winner has good early speed, a big benefit over the fast dirt; P Val loves to send, simple tactics.

Long Shot – 1 Intentional

Race 6 – 1 mile, Purse $20,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

7 Malusita – Was burned up last time in a vicious speed duel; expect better handling from top jockey Joel Rosario.

6 Sweetsouthernqueen – Tepid chalk in a wide-open affair; Mike Mitchell has an uncoupled entry, the other live one is Tamerin.

Long Shot – 1 Misinjennuous

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $59,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

3 Andina – Exiting four graded stakes for this optional claimer; been away 7 months, the main question is her fitness level.

6 Hemera – Dead-late closer keeps outstanding turf rider in Corey Nakatani; should see a quick pace to close into.

Long Shot – 1 Michael’s Rose

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $150,000 El Encino, Fillies, 4-year-olds

3 Malibu Pier – The best time to try and beat a champ is off a layoff; her second in the La Brea was better than looked.

2 Blind Luck – A lot of horses exiting the Breeders’ Cup need a race or two; plus the speed favoring dirt does her no favors.

Long Shot – 1 Champagne d’Oro

Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, 4-year-olds and up

1 Resplendently – He has more back class than these; drops from MSW to maiden claiming, he has run for a price tag twice before.

5 Rented Cop – Speedball has been away more than 2 years; Michael Pender adding blinkers on, he’ll be fresh, that’s for sure.

Long Shot – 6 Gifted Student

Best Bet – 1 Resplendently (race 9)

Santa Anita Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/3/$31.00; Long Shots, 9/3/$38.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 230/63/$401.70; Long Shots, 114/17/$188.40; Best Bets, 13/6/$21.70

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – 2 Dubai Connection (8/5) in race 1 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Devilish Lady won at Tampa Bay Downs paying $2.80 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats – 13/10/$72.70