Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, April 20

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Brooklyn Rose – Ran evenly in a much tougher $16K claiming race last out; big class drop makes the job much easier.

6 Fiesta Express – Perfect 4-for-4 in the money over Santa Anita dirt; game win in last and has back class to repeat the race.

Long Shot – 4 Racy Rosa

Race 2 – 5 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Salty Forecast – Has early speed which is always valuable in such a cheap field; may end up being in a no passing zone race.

5 Floatthrutheair – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; took betting in her career debut.

Long Shot – 4 Betty Portlock

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

1 Canelo – Really improved second time out for Vladimir Cerin; he’ll have his hands full taking on the Bob Baffert duo.

5 Brannaman – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; was flattered when Mel’s Game won next out.

Long Shot – 3 Fly High

Race 4 – 1 1/4 miles (turf), $150,000 Santa Barbara Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

4 Lady of Shamrock – Ran well in first start off a 5-month hiatus; should be a lot tighter for this.

7 Moone’s My Name – Just missed winning her U.S. debut by a neck; tough as long as there’s no Euro bounce.

Long Shot – 5 Double Ante

Race 5 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up

5 Banged His Eye – Interesting switch to a more aggressive rider, Edwin Maldonado; he’ll put this one into the race.

6 A Thousand Aces – Broke thru with a sharp maiden claiming win in last; facing winners for the first time is a big class rise.

Long Shot – 2 Valen

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

8 Appealing – Was slow into stride in U.S. debut, but finished well; was not used to the wicked fast early pace.

3 Jet Blue Girl – One of two horses running for a $40K price tag; big class drop offers her a big chance.

Long Shot – 1 Sassy Suances

Race 7 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Field Report – Has shown an inability to seal the deal with many seconds and thirds; he is fast enough to beat these.

6 Noble Exchange – Like horses that win and run a slower Beyer speed figure; $40K price tag made him eligible for this condition.

Long Shot – 1 Derringer

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $100,000 San Simeon, 4-year-olds and up

3 Obviously – Has not run since a strong third to Wise Dan in the Breeders’ Cup; given 6-months so should be very fresh.

6 Drill – Bob Baffert sprinter tries turf for the first time; has pedigree to suggest he’ll handle the green carpet.

Long Shot – 4 Chosen Miracle

Race 9 – 7 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds and up

11 Kingsbury – Like the cut back in distance after a good second in a 2-turn route; should be finishing fastest of all.

5 Street Maven – Adam Kitchingman drops way down in search of victory; like the use of Edwin Maldonado for first dirt test.

Long Shot – 8 Sports Report

Best Bet – 4 Lady of Shamrock (race 4)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$26.20; Long Shots, 8/2/$22.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 1,138/302/$1,894.10; Long Shots, 565/76/$881.40; Best Bets, 65/27/$109.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Ron the Greek (5/2) in race 12 at Charles Town. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Mystical Star ran out at Keeneland. Stats – 63/42/$322.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick