HORSE RACING

OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up

Hockey the General – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low level; Bob Baffert culls win a lot of races.

Natural Touch – Racing off the claim by the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer; like that top jock Garrett Gomez takes the call.

Long Shot – Frankelstein

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds

J B Wine – Logical chalk in a pretty deficient race; has enough tactical speed to lead or follow as the race shape develops.

Red Jasper – Gets necessary class relief to compete with these; John Sadler has not skipped a beat since winning Del Mar.

Long Shot – Race Caller Luke

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $36,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

Timias – Was flattered in last when Albertus Maximus ran third in the Goodwood; his race two back would crush these.

Fado – Dead late closer has been freshened for a couple months; his best race was two back and could upset if repeated.

Long Shot – Gem Proof

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $65,000 Pine Tree Lane, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Tiz Elemental – Tough heat for a $65K stakes; dead late closer should see a solid pace to flatter her running style.

Magnificience – Failed favorite diappointed in last; she has come back this year as strong as Bruce Headley would like.

Long Shot – Coco Belle

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $46,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Internallyflawless – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so be forewarned; this filly was well bet in debut and flopped badly.

Century Park – Other Baffert filly, I suspect one of the two will win this race; note the two jockeys, Bejarano and Gomez.

Long Shot – Dreamalong

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Carbella – This race is incredibly wide open, so let’s shop for price; parking lot post, but tactical speed to get position.

Fabulous Moolah – Ran well in last at Fairplex and is an inflated 15/1 morning line; Iggy is due for some racing luck soon.

Long Shot – Starstruck Kristen

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf), $200,000 Oak Tree Mile, 3-year-olds and up

Hyperbaric – Julio Canani has this horse good at the right time of year; no shock his resurgence comes with Gomez riding.

Tybalt – Bobby Frankel colt is sight unseen for 4-months, but he must be respected; has always been highly respected.

Long Shot – Awesome Gem

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $250,000 Norfolk, 2-year-olds

Regal Ransom – Leap of faith that the horses in the east are talented; Kiaran McLaughlin brings out his own rider Alan Garcia.

Midshipman – Square price on an unbeaten Bob Baffert colt; was dead game to upset Coronet of a Baron in the Del Mar Futurity.

Long Shot – Silent Valor

Race 9 – 6 furlongs, Purse $47,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

Black Wolf – Logical chalk has been flattered by exiting back-to-back key races; tactical speed to lead or follow close up.

Guns On the Table – Bob Baffert colt looks like a different animal returning from a 9-month hiatus; is bigger and faster.

Long Shot – Times Gone By

Race 10 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

Teamwork – Cliff Sise babies typically improve a lot in their second career start; offers value at his 5/1 morning line odds.

Tactful – If the Polytrack flatters early speed, that will enhance his chances; Tyler Baze will need to nurse him along.

Long Shot – Tom Quinn

Best Bet – Teamwork (race 10)

Santa Anita Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 22/5/$24.20; Long Shots, 9/1/$6.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 72/16/$91.20; Long Shots, 33/2/$13.60; Best Bets, 4/2/$9.80