Horse racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, March 14

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds

6 Wild Tony – Did a pop and stop facing tougher in MSW; huge class drop, speed effort again but facing much easier task.

7 Adrenaline Shot – Suspect can sit the perfect trip lapped outside Wild Tony; may just inherit the lead late.

Long Shot – 5 Shadow Hall

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

3 Talk the Walk – You’ll have an edge over me in seeing the action on the FTS; chalk is adding blinkers on for speed.

5 Win Machine – He’s a grinder who may just stick around at the finish; the key to the race is the multiple FTS.

Long Shot – 4 Wave Catching

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $40,000, Fillies, 4-year-olds

1 Mia Isabel – Didn’t look the same on dirt in last as she’s run on turf; like the switch back to preferred surface.

2 Thermal Nermal – Tactical speed will keep her in contention throughout; difficult heat kicks off $94K pick 6 carryover.

Long Shot – 7 Four Better

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

2 Iconic Spirit – Big rider switch back to Garrett Gomez; this filly has a late running style that Gomez prefers.

8 Black Witch – Bob Baffert’s only starter on the card; don’t lose the pick 6 by leaving out the only Baffert horse in today.

Long Shot – 4 Sheaparoux

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Van Brit – Hall of Famer Gary Stevens takes over for the money shot; seamless return has him on live horses most of the time.

9 Eyes On the Prize – Figures to draw in off the also eligible with early scratches; speedball effort can be effective.

Long Shot – 7 English Puddin

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $35,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Stoneside – In top form for Julio Canani, and placed right to win; will sit a trip and try to grind it out late.

1 Luckarack – Tepid chalk takes a solid class drop to face easier; last win came for this same $32K price tag.

Long Shot – 3 Drift King

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

3 Best Present Ever – If 4-for-4 first or second down the hillside turf course; figures to get a masterful ride again too.

8 Esentepe – First time U.S. for the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer; first time Lasix and spotted well to succeed.

Long Shot – 1 Creditcardroulette

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Unmarked Bills – No SoCal barn is hotter now than Richard Mandella; reunited with Joe Talamo for the money shot.

1 Deception Free – Two hard fought seconds in a row as the public choice; maybe the third time will be the charm.

Long Shot – 11 Shot of Chaya

Best Bet – 1 Mia Isabel (race 3)

Santa Anita Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/4/$28.40; Long Shots, 9/2/$35.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 772/199/$1,299.30; Long Shots, 382/54/$625.20; Best Bets, 44/15/$60.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #9 Wet One (5/2) in race 5 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, The Candidate ran out at Gulfstream Park. Stats – 41/30/$229.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick