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