Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, March 15

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

6 Shackbamalama – Blinkers come off after running two competitive races; class drop to $50K can only help.

2 Moreno’s Mine – Been away since Del Mar; taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming.

Long Shot – 1 D J Manlove

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds

5 War Academy – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; tries 2-turns for the first time, good stamina pedigree.

4 Manando – Speedball fell apart over the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate; his race in the Sham would beat these.

Long Shot – 3 Brokered

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

2 In a Wine Tizzy – Just missed in last two in frustrating losses; Edwin Maldonado is tough to pass in the lane.

7 Tribal Date – Has shown incremental improvement with each start; speed is an asset with the turf rail out 30 feet.

Long Shot – 3 Gentlemen Pete

Race 4 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

4 Macias – Been away 15-months, but has a ton of back class; suspect will get claimed while winning the purse.

1 National – Tepid chalk was claimed by Jack Carava; tactical speed to sit a trip while saving all the ground.

Long Shot – 8 Hidden Blessing

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

5 What a Spot – Tom Proctor doesn’t win often with FTS; this one showed talent ASAP and must be respected.

7 Upbeat Mood – Tepid chalk among many difficult races today; taking blinkers off, been away 6-months.

Long Shot – 2 Fadeintoinfinity

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

2 A Drop Dead Diva – Was no secret in debut win for Jeff Mullins; he must of cried when he lost her to Jim Cassidy.

5 Could Be Trouble – Positive trainer change to Peter Miller barn; showed talent in breakout diploma win last time.

Long Shot – 8 Spring Gal

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming 462,500, 4-year-olds and up

9 Sweet Swap – This is a near impossible race on paper; tiny edge to the tactical speed this one possesses.

8 Starspangled Heat – Dead late closer made a miraculous rally in last to just miss; rail out 30 feet does not help him.

Long Shot – 7 No Silent

Race 8 – 7 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

13 Of Royalty – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to succeed in here.

8 Heaven On Earth – Another taking the drop from MSW to maiden claiming; exits a bullet work at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Long Shot – 5 Tiz Anna

Best Bet – 5 War Academy (race 2)

Santa Anita Park Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$18.20; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 788/202/$1,317.50; Long Shots, 390/54/$625.20; Best Bets, 45/15/$60.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #6 Tennis Racket (7/2) in race 9 at Laurel Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Wet One ran out at Gulfstream Park. Stats – 42/30/$229.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick