Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, March 10

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

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

8 Political Man – Poor start in last cost him all chance; has no early speed, but don’t exacerbate the issue.

6 Flew Flicker – Tepid chalk has some early speed to lead or follow close up; does have 5 in the money finishes.

Long Shot – 1 Duke Street King

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $58,000, 3-year-olds

3 Let Em Shine – Crushing MSW win, now facing winners for the first time; wins if he repeats his last race.

5 Special Jo – Eastern invader from the Steve Asmussen barn; been given plenty of time for this highly regarded colt.

Long Shot – 4 Fighting Hussar

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Indian Gods – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to handle these.

4 Noble Exchange – Been away a full year; key is he’s a first time gelding, and this is a 5-YO maiden.

Long Shot – 5 Congregationalist

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up

3 Motown Men – Like all 3 of his grass route races; tries the hill for the first time, expect a stalk and pounce strategy.

4 Zuboff – Paired sharp wins and has plenty of early speed; has won down the hill before, always a positive sign.

Long Shot – 2 Hawkedon

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

2 Broadway Nika – Tepid chalk in a very difficult race; ran a good second in this class two races ago.

3 Minister of Trade – Ran like a short horse in last off a 3-month hiatus; his prior races are actually competitive here.

Long Shot – 1 Traweek

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

12 Real Heat – I do not mind a parking lot post down the hillside turf course; figures to find his best stride late.

1 Bobo – Gulfstream invader was privately purchased; suspect has some hidden talent for Paddy Gallagher to develop.

Long Shot – 4 Art Official

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 Tiz Snazzy – Won last time despite running a much slower Beyer speed figure; note that it was over a four horse field.

5 I Don’t Care Who – His race two back is the one he needs to repeat; Corey Nakatani glowing from a great San Felipe victory.

Long Shot – 6 Judge Carr

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $100,000 Las Flores, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

5 Teddy’s Promise – Ron Ellis has this mare in the best form of her career; clearly the race goes thru her.

3 Shumoos – Shook off a 15-month hiatus to win off the bench; has always been a highly regarded filly from overseas.

Long Shot – 2 Rumor

Race 9 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Late Night Sky – Another brutal race in a difficult pick 6 sequence; sliding down the claiming ladder for this.

4 Rock Off – Claimed by Dan Blacker and aggressively boosted in class; has an OK turf resume despite no wins over the grass.

Long Shot – 7 Warren’s Rail Bird

Best Bet – 2 Indian Gods (race 3)

Santa Anita Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/3/$18.80; Long Shots, 9/2/$22.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 755/195/$1,270.90; Long Shots, 373/52/$589.90; Best Bets, 43/15/$60.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #2 The Candidate (2/1) in race 4 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Original Kitten won at Fair Grounds paying $4.60 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats – 40/30/$229.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick