HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 Donato – Speedball shortens up a bit for today’s tussle; only fear is if the rail horse opts to duel with him.

1 Pleasant Earth – Sprinter stretching out has the speed to fight Donato early; Joel Rosario and Rafael Bejarano rarely duel.

Long Shot – 4 Turbulence

Race 2 – 1 1/4 miles (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

1 Diamond Duchess – Part of a strong entry that has won going this marathon distance; no surprise if they finish 1-2.

4 Farley Star – Third start off a 2-month hiatus; has good late kick, Chantal Sutherland should pick up some business.

Long Shot – 7 Hard Way Ten

Race 3 – 1 mile, Purse $26,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

5 The Hunt Is On – Just missed last time in first try for a price tag; like that Rafael Bejarano is riding tonight.

2 Tiz True – Logical chalk has tactical speed to attend the early pace; third start off a 3-month hiatus can be his best.

Long Shot – 1 John Eli

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $54,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

6 Intuitive Nature – Been away 8 months, but showed good ability in turf sprints and especially down the hillside course.

13 Visual Intensity – Like the parking lot post down the hillside course; shortens up in distance for closing punch.

Long Shot – 1 Tribal Nation

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

1 Me Salty – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to handle these.

3 Baron Von Red – Leap of faith that Rafael Bejarano is taking the mount for good reason; big class drop can only help.

Long Shot – 2 Magic Spirit

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $30,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies, 4-year-olds

8 Glory Pride – Taking a huge class drop to face these; don’t mind P Val up, expect him to take back and make one brush.

9 Hot Citizen – Another taking a big class drop to face easier foes; her turf speed figures appear better than on dirt.

Long Shot – 7 Lisa Lulu

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Going for a Spin – Like the turn back in distance and blinkers on; Rafael Bejarano will try and sit closer to the pace.

6 Subpoena the Dress – Sharp win first off the claim by A. C. Avila; she has won 6 times so won’t be overmatched in here.

Long Shot – 1 Miles Rules

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

2 Exponential – Her race two back is fast enough to compete with these; this is an easier group than last time.

7 Black Wildcat – You’ll have an edge on me in seeing the action on the FTS; from the live barn of Julio Canani.

Long Shot – 5 Chocolate Caliente

Best Bet – 5 The Hunt Is On (race 3)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/7/$65.80; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60

Santa Anita Park Totals – 808/219/$1,405.10; Long Shots, 405/60/$604.00; Best Bets, 47/20/$82.70

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – 6 Lady Aspen (8/1) in race 7 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Battle Royal ran out at the Fair Grounds. Stats – 45/33/$254.80