Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, April 17

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 Mile, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 His Royal Highness – Ran horribly last time on grass; returns to dirt which is his preferred surface.

2 I Don’t Care Who – Favorite likes to sit mid-pack and make one brush; was also favored in last in this class.

Long Shot – 5 Langfurs Lightning

Race 2 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

6 Four Better – Takes a samll drop in class for this; that notch may be enough to get her picture taken.

2 English Rhythm – Desperate win last time under Julien Leparoux; Joe Talamo takes over as Leparoux is riding at Keeneland.

Long Shot – 7 Cosset

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Southern Heart – Returned to the class he was claimed at by Paddy Gallagher; need not be much to beat these.

4 Dashing Ash – Was flattered when World Renowned won next out; chance to improve under Edwin Maldonado.

Long Shot – 6 Patriotic Lion

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

2 Uno Dos Adios – Showed great improvement first time on turf; horses that run well down the hill, keep doing so.

1 Cacau – Like the cut back in distance from 2-turn routes; hate the rail post, but will be rallying from the back anyway.

Long Shot – 3 Misdeed

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Just Because – Huge rider switch to Martin Pedroza for the money shot; repeat race can beat these tonight.

3 Saint Leo – Ran well when fourth in debut at 19/1 odds; one step improvement makes him a contender with these.

Long Shot – 5 Cunning Ride

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

5 Pussycat Lips – Dead late closer gets class relief from a minor stakes for this; Garrett Gomez remains loyal to the cause.

3 Macha – Cuts back in distance a furlong for this; Rafael Bejarano will easily win another Santa Anita riding title.

Long Shot – 6 Incredible Journey

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

1 Jesse’s Giacomo – Has given Saul Arias 2-of-3 wins this year; proof Doug O’Neill gives the little guys a chance.

5 Sacred Delight – She won for $40K price tag two races ago; draw a line thru her last, for forgiving handicappers.

Long Shot – 8 It’s Aine

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Callous Effect – Has improved with every start; proved she was worth the gamble shipping west from Presque Isle Downs.

5 Cuvee Exchange – Did everything but win last time in a tough defeat; she has shown a preference for turf over dirt

Long Shot – 1 Light of Life

Best Bet – 2 Just Because (race 5)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/5/$28.40; Long Shots, 9/1/$26.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 1,106/295/$1,853.50; Long Shots, 550/73/$839.80; Best Bets, 63/27/$109.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 Southpaw Slammer (5/2) in race 5 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Lady Banks ran out at Keeneland. Stats – 61/41/$311.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick