Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, May 2

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Mahalo Princess – Joshua Litt drops her in class lower than what he claimed her for; key for me is she has run cheaper up in NoCal.

2 Firendesire – Steve Knapp loves to win races on the drop down; this one has run third twice at this bottom level $8K claimers.

Long Shot – 4 J Louie

Race 2 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

6 Photography – Leap of faith that Rafael Bejarano knows what he’s doing; hardly ran at all in his U.S. debut.

1 Hobbits Hero – Won down the hillside turf course last time out; is stretching out to a mile, but has shown a fondness for grass.

Long Shot – 2 Fort Wagner

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

3 Yard Line – You can’t teach speed like he has from the gate; now stretching out, will enjoy the much softer early pace of a route.

2 Rprettyboyfloyd – The blinkers on experiment failed, so off they come; also loses his rider to the chalk, Tyler Baze will take over.

Long Shot – 5 Hold Everything

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), $75,000 Ultrafleet, Fillies, 3-year-olds

3 On the Backstreets – Ran one ugly race in the Ashland, but that can happen at Keeneland; still think the filly has a lot of talent.

1 Clenor – Given a breather since two tough tests to end the season; she won her first three SoCal starts, still has a high ceiling.

Long Shot -2 Sushi Empire

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Appealing Resume – Claimed by Paul Aguirre who legs up main man Iggy Puglisi; clever combo likes to win races and are always trying.

2 Clearly Confused – Rafeal Bejarano burned a lot of money Friday; when Angel Cordero, Jr. did it back east, he heard from the railbirds.

Long Shot – 1 Lemon de Oro

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Swiss Heart – In a race this common, sometimes having the early lead is good strategy; cheap races can be no passing zone heats.

8 Euroclydon – Would think she could rally and win going away; but she has shown a tendency to nibble, class drop has to help.

Long Shot – 6 Hanna No Sir

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 Pass the Pico – Has run two strong races since claimed by Julio Canani; moves from post 10 to 1 to save some ground this journey.

5 Maximinus – Takes a huge class drop for Jeff Bonde; may win the purse, but loose the horse, figure he’s worth the $25K.

Long Shot – 4 Sheer Talent

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Lilbourne Eliza – With Rafael Bejarano taking over, maybe he will try and rate her; aided by the turf rail out 24 feet.

3 Mom Nana Petrie – Has shown good tactical speed and a liking for turf; I seldom have much luck with Jeff Mullins horses, zig-zag.

Long Shot – 10 Somethingabouther

Race 9 – 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Midnight Mayhem – First time gelding is the ultimate equipment change; gets Rafael Bejarano too, good karma in the finale.

11 Van Fraassen – Taking a huge class drop for Doug O’Neill; has not show much ability, but these are the slowest he’s ever faced.

Long Shot – 1 Goyan

Best Bet – 3 On the Backstreets (race 4)

Santa Anita Park Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$31.60; Long Shots, 7/1/$9.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 71/16/$101.20; Long Shots, 34/4/$38.20; Best Bets, 4/0/$0

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #My Miss Sophia (8/1) in race 11 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Make It Anywhere ran second at Belmont Park paying $4.30 to place and $2.30 to show. Stats – 69/40/$382.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick