Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, May 8

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 4 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

6 Annies Candy – Leaning on Peter Miller is not a bad idea in these baby drag races; watch the tote board for additional clues.

5 Gosofar – From the Adam Kitchingman barn which has been good with juvenile babies in the past; the key to a fast break and quick feet.

Long Shot – 2 Known Defense

Race 2 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Keezheekoni – With shorter fields can come a lot of chalk; the key is if you can beat the favorite, some others are grossly overlaid.

4 Warren’s Dixie Bell – When in doubt, you can’t do much better than back a Rafael Bejarano mount; returns to sprint and the main track.

Long Shot – 5 Comin’offthebench

Race 3 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

3 Bench Light – Gets class relief from the Cal Cup last time out; has a solid turf resume and figures to be flying fast late.

4 Footstepsinbronze – Has run four solid turf races so that’s a real positive; like that Rafael Bejarano remains loyal to the cause.

Long Shot – 3 Raise Your Gaze

Race 4 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $60,000, Optional claiming 462,500, 3-year-olds and up

2 Govenor Charlie – Was highly regarded when he went to the sidelines; would question a hard route in return, but its Bob Baffert.

1 Secretsatmidnight – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; this one will likely lead while Govenor Charlie sits a trip.

Long Shot – 5 You Know I Know

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Ivana Beat Yabad – Has plenty of turf speed and with the rail out 15 feet, that’s good; blinkers off to try and make her more relaxed.

7 Ladysgotgame – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; like that hot riding Tyler Baze gets the call.

Long Shot – 11 Goose Bumps

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $40,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds

2 Great Lou – Speedball won for $50K and now appears for $40K; Robertino Diodoro may be playing a game of cat and mouse, or chicken.

6 Believe Too – Won and incredible last to first move last time out; was only the second start under new trainer Richard Baltas.

Long Shot – 1 Hot Lightning

Race 7 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $58,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Wanstead Gardens – Was a stride late last time in a solid second; gets Gary Stevens who remains as heady a rider as there is in SoCal.

5 Miraglo – Won with authority last out despite being away 18 months; stretching back out in distance, won his MSW on cruise control.

Long Shot – 12 Which Market

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Gold Journey – Speed and the rail are always dangerous, especially with cheaper stock; those kind can’t afford to sacrifice ground.

5 Slew Keyty – Typical green debut, slow early but fast late; this from the dangerous team of Paul Aguirre and Iggy Puglisi.

Long Shot – 9 Ipray

Best Bet – 3 Bench Light (race 3)

Santa Anita Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/6/$30.60; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.80

Santa Anita Meet Totals – 118/29/$174.20; Long Shots, 57/5/$58.20; Best Bets, 7/3/$12.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #4 Modernstone (6/1) in race 8 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Skye Saratoga ran second at Belmont Park paying $3.00 to place and $2.70 to show. Stats – 63/42/$278.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick