Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, April 6

By Richard Eng

Post Time noon

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

4 Tribal Dude – Had a tough trip in last; big rider switch to Garrett Gomez, two races back ran fast enough to upset these.

6 Art Official – Should get lots of value with low percentage rider; was absolutely flying down the stretch in last.

Long Shot – 3 On the Fence

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

7 Eula B. – Ran awful as a beaten favorite last time; for forgiving handicappers, her two prior races can upset these.

11 Cherry On the Cake – Facing winners for the first time; that’s always a major step up in class.

Long Shot – 4 Metaxa

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

4 Declassify – FTS from the Bob Baffert barn; been working fast, what a shock, and figures to be odds on or less favorite.

5 Wise Boss – Ron Ellis has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; he seldom wins with FTS, but double barrel action speaks volumes.

Long Shot – 6 Scully

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

2 Buckleberry Grey – Too little, too late rally in last; big rider switch to Garrett Gomez and is stretching out in distance.

4 Perfect Set – Had traffic problems in his last two starts; switches to Rafael Bejarano riding for hot Richard Mandella barn.

Long Shot – 8 Apostle Paul

Race 5 – 1 1/16th miles, $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Beholder – She is among the filly class that seems stronger than the boys; really looks like a two horse race.

4 Fiftyshadesofhay – Stalked Beholder in the Las Virgenes; however she never looked like she was ever going to pass.

Long Shot – 2 Spellbound

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf), $75,000 Thunder Road, 4-year-olds and up

7 Fed Biz – Bob Baffert is always capable of having a monster day; chased a couple of very talented colts in the Kilroe.

5 Willyconker – This is an overachiever who tries hard every time; showed a lot of gumption in winning last time.

Long Shot – 4 Tigah

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $150,000 Potrero Grande, 4-year-olds and up

8 Jimmy Creed – Broke thru with a career best win in the Malibu; long term goal for Richard Mandella colt in the BC Sprint.

2 Comma to the Top – Not enamored with the shipping back and forth to the east coast; was absolutely all out to win Tom Fool.

Long Shot – 6 Unbridled’s Note

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), $150,000 Providencia, Fillies, 3-year-olds

8 Flashy Ways – Was highly regarded enough to run in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf; she can be rounding back into top form.

6 Scarlet Strike – Distant third in the Las Virgenes behind two amazons; this is a softer spot and she has run OK on turf.

Long Shot – 7 Magnificent Shirl

Race 9 – 1 1/8th miles, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, 3-year-olds

6 Super Ninety Nine – Speed has been his best asset; expect Martin Garcia to gun to the lead, play catch me if you can.

1 Flashback – Ran game in defeat in the San Felipe; ride cost Julien Leparoux the mount as Garrett Gomez takes over.

Long Shot – 5 Goldencents

Race 10 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

10 Wall Dance – Flew home last time for third at 19/1 odds; won’t be that price today, but pace scenario can set up.

9 Oliver’s Tale – Most impressive MSW win earning a 105 Beyer; that’s fast enough to win a lot of stakes races.

Long Shot – 4 Points Offthebench

Race 11 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 East Sky – Mike Mitchell claims from small barn of Elmer January; expect improvement joining a top stable.

9 Russel’s Run – Sharp maiden claiming win at 14/1 odds; now facing winners for the first time, a major class rise.

Long Shot – 3 Square Dancer

Best Bet – 8 Jimmy Creed (race 7)

Santa Anita Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$24.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$14.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 1,000/266/$1,710.10; Long Shots, 496/64/$725.00; Best Bets, 57/23/$93.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #2 Normandy Invasion (5/1) in race 11 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Doherty ran third at Gulfstream Park paying $2.10 to show. Stats – 55/39/$297.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick