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