HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Two Violins – Claimed by Jack Carava, typically a good thing; proven commodity with these bottom-level $8k claimers.

1 Brinson – Huge rider switch to Victor Espinoza for the money shot; third start off a 2-month hiatus.

Long Shot – 7 Raingear

Race 2 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $56,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Bar Rock Obama – Won last time despite the surface switch from turf to dirt; Jeff Mullins wants to try her on grass.

5 All Star Heart – Dead-late closer looked good graduating in last; will need some help in softening up the chalk.

Long Shot – 6 First Settler

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds

6 Montellano – Turf Paradise invader is a proven dirt performer; like that Garrett Gomez takes the call for Kory Owens.

5 Tonzatrouble – Tepid chalk in an open affair; sliding down the claiming ladder, should be tighter this time around.

Long Shot – 8 Devour

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

5 Fleet Continental – Should move forward with more patient handling; Rafael Bejarano always saves some horse for the finish.

6 Magical Instinct – Dead-late closer taking a big class drop from MSW; he has run for a price tag before and been competitive.

Long Shot – 2 Twoatten Tenattwo

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

1 Bradium – Speedball ridden by the best gate rider in P Val; simple tactics of go as fast and as far as he can.

6 Summers At Delmar – Dead-late closer was claimed by Rafael Becerra; figures to see a rapid pace to rally into.

Long Shot – 7 Time for Atonement

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $54,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

9 Houston Harbor – Steve Asmussen has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; no shame in second best to The Factor.

5 Cook Inlet – Was third behind The Factor in a record-setting race; one step improvement puts him right there too.

Long Shot – 6 Fusa Code

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $56,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

1 He’s a Dance Star – His two turf races show that’s his preferred surface; Garrett Gomez will take back for one brush.

6 C Tizz Run – Was caught up in the early drift last time and paid the price; Brice Blanc needs to get him to relax some.

Long Shot – 7 Kate’s Event

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

6 Cat in the Forest – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; speedball tactics for P Val.

13 Rockin Harbor – Must draw in off the also eligible list; will be the main closer in a race jammed with cheap speed.

Long Shot – 8 Honor Among Us

Best Bet – 1 He’s a Dance Star (race 7)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/5/$28.40; Long Shots, 9/1/$7.80; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.60

Santa Anita Park Totals – 401/109/$698.10; Long Shots, 200/28/$293.40; Best Bets, 23/11/$41.90

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – 4 First to Know (5/2) in race 6 at Tampa Bay. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Smokin Cat was scratched when Aqueduct canceled. Stats – 22/18/$159.90