Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Oct. 18

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $40,000, 3-year-olds

4 Distort This – Looks like lone early speed; with the turf rail out 24 feet, there is a lot of advantages here.

2 Buffalo Billy – Ran well in this class two races ago; lost whip which didn’t help his cause that day at Del Mar.

Long Shot – 6 Trucial State

Race 2 – 1 mile, Purse $50,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

4 Bluegrass Reward – Mike Mitchell charge has a strong record over organic dirt; adding blinkers on too.

3 Motown Men – Been away 10-months since facing much tougher at this winter; reunited with Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot – 1 Tribal Jewel

Race 3 – 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 2-year-olds

6 Pick Six Joe – Mike Mitchell has runners in half the races today, and they are all live; watch the tote board for clues.

8 Jones Destiny – Tepid chalk in another wide open affair; Garrett Gomez is riding a couple for a low percentage barn.

Long Shot – 7 Kentucky Kid

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

4 Hyena – Gets class relief exiting the Shepherd stakes for this $32K price tag; speed to lead of follow close up.

2 Ella Bea Awesome – Horses like this, clipped heels in last, tend to be overlooked next out; believe me she is live in here.

Long Shot – 1 Divas and Diamonds

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 2-year-olds

4 Doubledeesonthetee – Flattered when Carving won next out for Bob Baffert; huge class drop to face a much easier task.

7 Havoc – FTS from Mike Mitchell doesn’t have to show much to win at first asking; key vote is Garrett Gomez named to ride.

Long Shot – 6 Primed and Ready

Race 6 – 7 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Striking Spirit – Like horses that won while running a lower Beyer speed figure; should have lots of room to improve.

5 Back At You – Big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot; tactical speed to sit a good trip.

Long Shot – 7 Apply

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Always a Chance – Has run two strong turf races for Sean McCarthy; Joe Talamo is currently the meets leading rider.

9 Chimi Dee – Tepid chalk gets a negative rider switch from Garrett Gomez; still the move helps the price, if you like the horse.

Long Shot – 1 Briteyednbushytail

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 2-year-olds

1 Greeley Awesome – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; its Doug O’Neill and Mario Gutierrez again.

8 Disarm – Could be a single for some in the pick 6; strong speed run in last, repeat can beat these.

Long Shot -5 Trice Up

Best Bet – 4 Doubledeesonthetee (race 5)

Santa Anita Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/1/$15.00; Long Shots, 9/2/$24.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 211/45/$365.40; Long Shots, 109/19/$208.00; Best Bets, 12/3/$9.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #7 Inaugurate (2/1) in race 3 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Bergerac ran out at Keeneland. Stats – 153/107/$941.30; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick