Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Sept. 29

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $47,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

4 Code West – Two thirds for this highly regarded Bob Baffert maiden; let’s see if the third time is a charm.

1 Ive Struck a Nerve – Ran OK in the Del Mar Futurity considering the awkward start and wide trip; gets big class relief.

Long Shot – 7 Title Contender

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

11 Awkward Mondays – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to handle these.

10 Thirteen Black – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this bottom rung; a first time gelding, improvement expected.

Long Shot – 8 Speargun

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $50,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

5 Huntsville – Reclaimed by Barry Abrams four races ago, a strong trainer angle; class relief can be the key.

3 Press Baron – Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; won easily in last, now is bumped up in class to face tougher.

Long Shot – 6 Dreamcatcher

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $47,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

2 Madame Cactus – Did everything but win in a strong debut at Del Mar; one step improvement and she can crush these.

11 Fiftyshadesofhay – Bob Baffert baby ran evenly in her career debut; his barn has a history of improvement in second time out.

Long Shot – 7 Revive Me

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $22,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Mr. Make Believe – Taking a huge class drop to face easier; suspect will get claimed as Richard Mandella culls the barn.

3 Winds of Dubai – His best races come over grass; class relief plus 8/1 odds is an enticing lure.

Long Shot – 7 God Of War

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, $250,000 Chandelier, Fillies, 2-year-olds

7 Executiveprivilege – Like most in here, she tries a route and dirt for the first time; classy filly loves to win races.

9 Salamera – Love Calder shippers coming to the west coast; showed a lot of heart in the Adirondack at Saratoga.

Long Shot – 5 Beholder

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles, $250,000 Frontrunner, 2-year-olds

8 Capo Bastone – Ran evenly in the Del Mar Futurity after an awesome debut win; may prefer to sit back and make one run.

7 Know More – Logical chalk was not given a chance to win in the Del Mar Futurity; expect Garrett Gomez to be alert to the pace.

Long Shot – 2 Gabriel Charles

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $250,000 Zenyatta, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Amani – Tried males in the Pacific Classic and got dusted; she is top shelf and can rebound at a price tonight.

6 Include Me Out – Logical chalk is a nice filly, but barely faster than these; perfect trip win in the Hirsch.

Long Shot – 7 Love and Pride

Race 9 – 1 1/4 miles (turf), $250,000 Rodeo Drive, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

12 City to City – On her best day, she is capable of an upset at big odds; Joe Talamo had choices and opted to ride for the maestro.

11 Marketing Mix – Sure to get overbet off a poorly timed ride in the Beverly D; she is clearly the one to beat though.

Long Shot – 2 Let’s Go Cheyenne

Race 10 – 1 1/8 miles, $250,000 Awesome Again, 3-year-olds and up

1 Game On Dude – Short priced chalk facing a much easier task than in the Pacific Classic; return to preferred dirt surface.

9 Rail Trip – His poor dirt resume came all in eastern races; classy ace has proven he fits well in this handicap division.

Long Shot – 7 Richard’s Kid

Race 11 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $70,000 Unzip Me, Fillies, 3-year-olds

8 Byrama – Won her lone race down the tricky hillside turf course; tried hard chasing Reneesgotzip last time.

13 Starry Skies – Must draw in from the also eligibles; would like the parking lot post a lot with her tactical speed.

Long Shot – 11 Wild Truffles

Best Bet – 7 Executiveprivilege (race 6)

Santa Anita Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/1/$6.40; Long Shots, 9/1/$16.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 17/1/$6.40; Long Shots, 9/1/$16.80; Best Bets, 1/0/$0

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 To Honor and Serve (8/5) in race 6 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Ausus won at Arlington paying $6.60 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Stats – 142/101/$891.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick