Horse racing: Today at Santa Anita, May 23
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Steve Carp
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 — 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming, state-breds, 3-year-olds and up
6 Thor’s Champion – First-time starter from the Mike Puype barn, which hits 14 percent with this kind; bullet work of 46.4 to prep.
9 Eagle Rock – Tough trip in first start; looks to make amends second time out off the drop to claimers.
Long Shot – 7 Jack No
Race 2 — 1 mile (turf), Purse $30,000, Allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
7 Diamond Cut – Shortens up from 1 1/8 and gets positive jock switch from Pena to Victor Espinoza.
4 True History – Comes out of same race as top choice; had to steady late; a clean trip would put her right there.
Long Shot – 6 Queenofhercastle
Race 3 — 6 furlongs, Spring Fever Stakes, Purse $150,000, state-bred Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
5 Sunday Rules – She’s perfect so far, and no reason to think she can’t make it five straight.
2 Harlington’s Rose – Won Grade 3 stakes in March; rested and refreshed for return.
Long Shot – 6 Tribal Gal
Race 4 — 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, state-bred Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 Nite Delite – Art Sherman-trained firster snuck in a 58.3 bullet work from gate at Los Alamitos May 7; ready to win?
7 Awesome Luck – Improving filly has every right to continue going forward in third start.
Long Shot – 5 Unusual Storm
Race 5 — 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,000, 3-year-olds
4 Seeking Asylum – Back in claimers after dismal performance in allowance April 19; fits better here.
5 English Art – Drops off the claim with R.B. Hess now in charge; Talamo rides.
Long Shot – 9 Preordained
Race 6 — 1 mile (turf), Frans Valentine Stakes, Purse $125,000, state-bred Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
3 Go West Marie – Gary Stevens stays aboard filly who has run well on this course.
5 Chati’s On Top – Stretches out and moves up to stakes company after rallying win April 26.
Long Shot – 7 Magnita
Race 7 — 1 1/16 miles, Melair Stakes, Purse $200,000, state-bred Fillies, 3-year-olds
3 Sheer Pleasure – Was given a brief rest after come-from-behind win in sprint April 4; will enjoy the extra distance.
2 Thermodynamics – Improving filly gets her toughest test to date; Dan Hendricks is 31 percent going turf to dirt.
Long Shot – 1 Barbara Beatrice
Race 8 — 1 1/8 miles (turf), Snow Chief Stakes, Purse $200,000, state-bred 3-year-olds
4 Zinvor – Has a win over the course and continues to make progress; can handle the class hike.
2 Richard’s Boy – Is 2-for-2 at Santa Anita but is routing for first time.
Long Shot – 10 Pulmarack
Race 9 — 1 mile, Tiznow Stakes, Purse $150,000, state-bred 4-year-olds and up
9 Motown Men – Got caught wide in Grade 3 Precisionist, should get a better trip this time.
10 Joy Boy – Was a winner at Fonner Park in Nebraska (Nebraska?) but has won at Santa Anita before.
Long Shot – 7 Poshsky
Race 10 — 1 mile (turf), Purse $56,000, Maiden Special Weight $56,000, state-bred 3-year-olds and up
6 Pacific Channel – Tries turf for first time after dismal debut on dirt; sired by English Channel.
2 Prohibition Repeal – Back to turf after fading in speed duel on turf; finished third at this condition two back.
Long Shot – 10 Brimstoned
Best Bet — 5 Sunday Rules (Race 3)
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY — #1 B L’s Wagon (6-1) in race 8 at Gulfstream. Veteran mare in peak form going for fourth straight. Gets speed jock in Eddie Castro, and she’ll be winging it on the front end. Friday’s pick, Interpol, finished fourth at Woodbine.