Horse Racing, Santa Anita Park, March 9

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

6 Lt. Hopeful – Claimed from Mike Mitchell 2 months ago; he has all the back speed numbers to beat this group.

1 Usurp – Claimed by Jack Carava who immediately hires Joel Rosario; tactical speed to sit a good inside trip.

Long Shot – 3 Gentle Romeo

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

3 Warren’s Jazz Walk – Ran a career topper in last to finish second; should sit a stalking trip under Rafael Bejarano.

4 Subtle Greek – Consistent sort has been second in 5-of-8 career starts; lack of killer instinct, but keeps running well.

Long Shot – 2 Golden Nip

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

7 Miss Communication – Mike Mitchell filly is knocking on the door; ran a winning race for this level last time out.

3 Trois Aureole – John Sadler has a 3-horse uncoupled entry; Fair Grounds invader showed ability in her career debut.

Long Shot – 5 Sydney’s Darling

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Halfapondarosa – Was flattered when Upstairs Maid won next out; huge class drop, she’s run a lot of faster races.

3 She’s Very Rare – Logical chalk crushed $10K claimers in last; big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot – 1 Subpoena the Dress

Race 5 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds

7 Our Heat – Barry Abrams has an uncoupled entry, and both have a shot; her race two back is good enough.

4 Shewhomustbeobeyed – Ran evenly in her career debut; sometimes the less races the better in an open heat.

Long Shot – 3 Willow Switch

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

5 Sage d’Oro – Speedball figures to control the early pace; lost in last to superstar filly Princess Arabella.

4 Indecise – Tries dirt for the first time; has the pedigree, by Pleasant Tap out of an A.P. Indy mare, to run well.

Long Shot – 6 Gittel

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

8 Miss Becca – For forgiving handicappers after being pulled up in last; key vote comes from Rafael Bejarano.

1 Melissa Rose – Claimed by John Sadler from Mike Mitchell; clearly is classy enough to compete with these.

Long Shot – 6 Bodie Girl

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Sir Hamilton – Lost all chance at the start in last; runs first time for a price tag and switches to Rafael Bejarano.

10 Gothics Peak – Claimed by Tom Blincoe; will race as a first time gelding, which wakes up many a lazy animal.

Long Shot – 8 Magic Beam

Best Bet – 8 Miss Becca (race 7)

Santa Anita Park Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$25.60; Long Shots, 8/1/$10.20; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80

Santa Anita Park Totals – 741/189/$1,168.80; Long Shots, 375/54/$634.80; Best Bets, 42/18/$62.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #1 Natalie Victoria (2/1) in race 8 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Saginaw won at Aqueduct paying $3.10 to win and $2.10 to place. Stats – 40/31/$283.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick