Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Jan. 16, 2012

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

6 Sassy Suances – Was flattered when Tiz Flirtatious won next out; gave a good account of herself in debut, can improve.

4 Bud and Brandy – Interesting strategy of exiting a turf route for this; like the cut back in distance, should be dead fit.

Long Shot – 5 Luckyvic

Race 2 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Lil Miss Macky – Mike Mitchell graduate exploded last out; she now has a ton of conditions and can earn a lot of purse money.

3 Ry Cheer – Similar to the aforementioned filly; she runs protected and has many conditions available to her.

Long Shot – 4 Right Smart Secret

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

4 Frenemy – Was scratched the other day for this turf route debut; tactical speed to lead if Martin Garcia so chooses.

6 Cloud Hopper – The chalk has gone 2-turns but this is his first grass try; beaten favorite last two outs.

Long Shot – 5 Treacherous

Race 4 – 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

1 Annie Lou – Jack Carava takes over for the sidelined Humberto Ascanio; we wish the former Bobby Frankel assistant our best.

2 Argue My Case – 5-YO maiden ran fast enough two back to upset these; this is a moribund, pedestrian group.

Long Shot – 3 Game Changer

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

1 Memphis – Was well regarded after popping his MSW at 32/1 odds; hasn’t won since, but has room for improvement.

6 Los Bomberos – Has shown steady improvement since claimed by Mark Glatt; this is his toughest test yet, in fine form now.

Long Shot – 7 Sammy’s a Runnin’

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $35,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

5 Mr. Bossy Pants – Sure to be overbet first race off the claim by Mike Mitchell; the one to beat at very short odds.

3 Cardiff Giant – Claimed by Ted West, he’s run well down the hill before; chance in a wide open field.

Long Shot – 6 Lamm

Race 7 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

8 Eaton Hall – Bob Baffert has this race surrounded with an uncoupled entry; suspect this may be the stronger half.

10 Bodemeister – Named after Bob Baffert’s son Bode; Empire Maker colt gets Rafael Bejarano, the longer price horse wins?

Long Shot – 1 Canuletmedowneasy

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap, 4-year-olds and up

4 Jeranimo – Great to see him running at age 6 instead of going to stud; this could be a monster year as he is not slowing down.

5 The Usual Q. T. – Been rested by Jim Cassidy with the idea he has a big season ahead of him; key is he loves Santa Anita sod.

Long Shot – 3 Norvsky

Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up

4 Me Salty – Tiny edge in the hardest race on the card; key vote comes from Rafael Bejarano in a major rider switch.

8 Creston Cowboy – Morning line chalk runs for the lowest price tag of his career; reaching the now or never stage.

Long Shot – 2 Lana’s Smile

Best Bet – 4 Jeranimo (race 8)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$18.40; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.80

Santa Anita Park Totals – 230/54/$335.40; Long Shots, 118/17/$226.80; Best Bets, 13/6/$24.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Won Fast Bullet (7/2) in race 1 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Cavalero ran out at Gulfstream Park. Stats – 12/9/$64.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick