Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Oct. 6

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

1 Sequoia Warrior – Slow start in last cost him at the end; he should have tactical speed to sit a nice trip.

5 So Brilliant – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; been away 11-months, but was very highly regarded.

Long Shot – 3 Don Tito

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $47,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

1 Career Student – FTS from the nearly forgotten Bruce Headley; been working all bullets gearing up for this debut.

2 Congregationalist – Broke thru last time with a sharp second at 24/1 odds; repeat effort puts him right there again.

Long Shot – 9 Brannaman

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf), $150,000 Arroyo Seco Mile, 3-year-olds and up

1 Mr. Commons – Came up an inch short last out in the Del Mar Mile; can still recoup what was supposed to be a big season.

3 Obviously – Has won two in a row wire to wire; he exerted himself last time like you wouldn’t believe.

Long Shot – 5 Midnight Interlude

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, $100,000 Tim Conway, 2-year-olds

4 South Floyd – Superb debut win albeit at Fairplex; I think he might just be this good to beat these too.

6 Scherer Magic – Did not run well in two starts at Del Mar; may prefer home cooking returning to his home racetrack.

Long Shot – 7 Merit Man

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $47,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

1 Avare – He is bred top and bottom for grass; like that Garrett Gomez takes the call, expect improvement.

3 Irish Surf – Logical chalk should major improvement in second career start; has grass pedigree to adore the greensward.

Long Shot – 9 Lawyer Gabe

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

13 Heartless Honey – Huge class drop really improves her chances; last race at Fairplex was a real clunker.

3 Natalie’s Academy – Ran once at Santa Anita and finished second; class drop can only help.

Long Shot – 4 Buzznalawng

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

11 Warren’s Rail Bird – Dead late closer makes his turf debut today; will sit in arrears and make one big brush.

9 Rock Off – Won convincingly in first race for a price tag; like the parking lot post down the hillside turf course.

Long Shot – 12 Hammer the Bay

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, $250,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, 3-year-olds and up

3 Coil – Suspect Bob Baffert will point him to the BC Sprint and not Mile; adds blinkers on for this abbreviated effort.

2 Amazombie – Champion sprinter is prepping for a repeat in the Breeders’ Cup; the one to beat at short odds.

Long Shot – 6 Jimmy Creed

Race 9 – 1 mile (turf), $70,000 Swingtime, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Byrony – Huge class relief from the grade 2 Yellow Ribbon for this; love Corey Nakatani riding on the turf.

8 Romantic Wish – Finished second to Byrony a long time ago; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

Long Shot – 10 Lady Ten

Race 10 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 Ingordo – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; square price with bugboy up.

2 Key Reversal – Claimed for $40K by John Sadler and dropped in for $20K; did a pop and stop in his career debut.

Long Shot – 12 Midnight Raven

Best Bet – 2 Byrony (race 9)

Santa Anita Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/2/$11.20; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 88/16/$97.60; Long Shots, 45/9/$88.40; Best Bets, 5/2/$6.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #6 Groupie Doll (4/5) in race 6 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Kabob won at Keeneland paying $6.20 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.40 to show. Stats – 146/104/$919.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick