Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, March 9

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

5 Amy’s Outburst – Like the cutback in distance; drops down in class and blinkers on, expect a full bore speed effort.

1 One Fast Frog – Speedy sort will either try to outbreak Amy’s Outburst or settle in second; also dropping down in class.

Long Shot – 6 Sweet Baguette

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Solar Rocket – Another horse who may try a full speed sprint; taking blinkers off from a pop and stop try in last.

5 Chinese Praise – Has the right style to sit a stalking trip throughout; will let out the throttle turning for home.

Long Shot – 8 Cragmont

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $26,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

6 Spit Ball – Claimed off a sharp win by Ron Ellis; he doesn’t claim many, and most run OK in the new barn.

3 Bay Rush – I like the way Phil D’Amato horses run; he is the top assistant to Mike Mitchell and his education shows.

Long Shot – 5 Graeme Crackerjack

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

6 Marinda – Don’t normally like a MSW grad facing winners for the first time; this Richard Mandella filly looked all grown up.

1 Sassy Suances – Has paired two wins albeit 13-months apart; she may be this good where she can repeat the effort.

Long Shot – 5 Lemon Hero

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

1 Russel’s Run – Huge rider switch to Edwin Maldonado for the money shot; this horse has some ability, speed and the rail.

7 Red Tesla – Bob Baffert 5-YO is not the sharpest knife in the drawer; returns off a full year hiatus.

Long Shot – 8 Jaco Red

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, 3-year-olds

10 Noble Power – Had an awful start and then was protected throughout; big jockey switch to hot riding Garrett Gomez.

3 Lemon Drop Dream – Tepid chalk ran awful in last in a surface switch from turf to dirt; returns today to his preferred surface.

Long Shot – 4 Democrat Duck

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles, $300,000 San Felipe, 3-year-olds

3 Goldencents – Has more experience than the chalk; liked the fact he won last time sitting off the pacesetter.

2 Flashback – He figures to be a short priced favorite for Bob Baffert; this is a good test facing tougher foes than last win.

Long Shot – 8 Omega Star

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $70,000 China Doll, Fillies, 3-year-olds

1 Magnificent Shirl – She is improving by leaps and bounds with each race; in the sharp hands of the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer.

9 Flashy Ways – Gets class relief from two top graded stakes for this; Richard Baltas taking the blinkers off.

Long Shot – 7 Sarach

Race 9 – 1 mile, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

10 Swiss Emperor – Has been knocking on the door with 5 in the money finishes in last 6 starts; long overdue for diploma.

2 Warren’s Parolee – Was flattered in last when Cold Bay won next out; tactical speed to sit a nice trip.

Long Shot – 8 Midnight Raven

Best Bet – 10 Noble Power (race 6)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 13/3/$21.00; Long Shots, 6/1/$10.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 738/192/$1,252.10; Long Shots, 364/50/$567.00; Best Bets, 42/15/$60.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #1 Original Kitten (5/2) in race 2 at Fair Grounds. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Yonaguska Storm won at Fair Grounds paying $2.10 to show. Stats – 33/25/$176.30; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick