HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 – 7 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Lockitup – Has found a level she’s comfortable with in competition; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip throughout.
Mama Lula – Tepid chalk in a wide open elongated sprint; has a ton of back class, but has been away 7-months.
Long Shot – Feel Ridge
Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Champagne Eyes – Loss of P Val loosens the jockey logjam some; Michael Baze rides filly who will enjoy the class relief.
Skylighter – Julien Leparoux has taken a working vacation so far in SoCal; gets a work card from Frankel, live contender.
Long Shot – Distinctive Dixie
Race 3 – 1 mile, Purse $16,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Zee Topper – Dead late closer loves to win with 10 lifetime victories; Michael Baze will need a lively pace to close into.
Megan’s Mia – Speedball will get an easy lead in third start off a 13-month hiatus; start of a pick 6 carryover of $153k.
Long Shot – So Happy Together
Race 4 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $22,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up
Ghost Actor – Hard to get excited over an 0-for-17 in 2007 horse; gets class relief and has run some decent races.
War Scandal – Florida invader joins the Mullins barn; watch the tote board for clues, key is intent in his SoCal debut.
Long Shot – Iron Duke
Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds
Distinctive Afleet – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; will sit a trip and fire late.
Mr. Excessive – Speedy sort retains the services of Garrett Gomez; he’s been able to get this colt to relax some early.
Long Shot – Golden Gorilla
Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Claiming $62,500, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Queen Holly – Dead late closer may be overlooked due to a four race losing streak; Bejarano bides his time and fires late.
Sunset Tijuana – Tepid chalk due to the inclusion of Gomez riding back; has enough speed to sit just off the pacesetters.
Long Shot – Onefunsonofagun
Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), $75,000 Impressive Luck Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
Night Chapter – One of many to have a ridiculously bad trip in the Turf Express; Bejarano takes over, clear sailing today.
Quietly Mine – Another who had a tough trip in the Hollywood Turf Express; love the parking lot post down the hillside.
Long Shot – Canteen
Race 8 – 7 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
Cherokee Tear – Baffert cull has shown a powerful late kick in 1-turn races; could offer a lot of value at 5/1 odds.
L.A. Phil – Sharp maiden claiming win that got him eligible for this condition; similar effort could airball this field.
Long Shot – Sonic Comic
Best Bet – Champagne Eyes (race 2)
Santa Anita Sunday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 20/4/$29.60; Long Shots, 10/3/$36.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals – 70/15/$108.00; Long Shots, 36/7/$67.20; Best Bets, 4/0/$0