HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 – 1 1/8th (turf), Purse $55,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds
Silent Soul – Classy sort gets big-time class relief facing these; the two best races of his life are both on grass.
Mostacolli Mort – Exiting a sharp MSW on grass, facing winners for the first time; will need a face pace to excel.
Long Shot – Dee Rain
Race 2 – 1 mile, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
Domoron Domoron – Has a running style to suggest he’ll appreciate going around 2-turns; love the way the Mig is riding.
Princely Gift – Draws the rail for another try at one mile; has shown a surprising lack of early speed, saves all the ground.
Long Shot – Nasty Gent
Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $46,000, Claiming $62,500, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Go West Madam – Mullins barn has been heating up towards the end of the Santa Anita meeting; her race two back will beat these.
Salsa Caliente – Not seen since graduating facing tougher in a Del Mar maiden claimer; enough early speed to protect her post.
Long Shot – Mysweetdistraction
Race 4 – 1 mile, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Steven’s Being – Ran first time for a claiming price in last, and nearly sprung the upset; figures to benefit from that race.
Reality Now – Like the class drop down from MSW to claiming; he faced $40k maiden claimers before and did not disgrace himself.
Long Shot – California Sky
Race 5 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $36,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Mashina – Tiny edge in the most wide open race of the day; saves all the ground inside and tries to grind it out late.
Silber – Dead late closer will need to see some early pace to succeed; shown some fondness for the Santa Anita turf course.
Long Shot – Brag
Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
Sabio – Has shown steady improvement where if he just repeats his last race, he’ll win; should break on top and crush these.
Six Again – Goes first time with Lasix, which can only improve his meager efforts; suspect will be closing past tired hombres.
Long Shot – Friendly Sound
Race 7 – 1 mile (turf), $75,000, American Beauty Handicap, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds
Big Promise – Dead late closer had an excuse in stakes at Turf Paradise, got into traffic problems late; good trip wins it.
Ghurra – Got up in the final stride facing much easier than today; has made steady improvement, tested in a low level stakes.
Long Shot – Shermeen
Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Afleet’s Desire – Had a clear lead throughout until collared late in last; facing a softer group, she may last the full monte.
Toppers Moment – Dead late closer is very good at cashing paychecks without winning; like the ride switch to hard riding Agapito.
Long Shot – Lady in Love
Best Bet – Silent Soul (race 1)
Santa Anita Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$20.80; Long Shots, 8/2/$12.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals – 1,197/318/$2,104.00; Long Shots, 599/69/$928.60; Best Bets, 69/28/$116.40