Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Feb. 21

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

1 Marla Hooch – For forgiving handicappers only; you need to draw a line thru her last awful effort to see 2 better races.

3 Warrens Puppy Love – Well done win in debut for Craig Lewis; is well spotted to repeat facing a very modest group of winners.

Long Shot – 4 Passion Bucket

Race 2 – 1 mile, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

2 Sir Macho – First time gelding could move forward a lot off the ultimate equipment change; last race was above par for these.

1 Prospector Alley – John Sadler has been hotter than a July 4 firecracker of late; doesn’t mess around here with the drop.

Long Shot – 6 Oso Smart

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds

5 Texas Ryano – His debut win looked like an optical illusion; didn’t think he had a chance at the top of the stretch.

4 Lucky Views – His turf race in the Eddie Logan points out one to fear; draw a line thru an awful Cal Cup Derby debacle.

Long Shot – 1 Awesome Return

Race 4 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

4 Vicki Victoria – Things have been improving lately for Richard Baltas; this one is sliding down the claiming ladder for barn.

5 Cayanna – Another sliding down the claiming ladder to a new low class; need not be much horse to compete with these.

Long Shot – Tangerine Tickle

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

2 Incline Village – Like the cut back in distance from route to sprint; his race two back, if repeated, will beat these.

4 Misdeed – Been away nearly a year, but doesn’t face much in return; Flavian Prat riding great for HOF Richard Mandella.

Long Shot – 1 Next Right

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

6 Bruno’s Wager – Been away nearly a year, but returns in a very soft spot; key vote for me is Joe Talamo taking the call.

5 Newfound Gold – Chalk was claimed last out for $20K by Dan Blacker; he drops him down for $10K in search of a victory.

Long Shot – 4 Senator Bob

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

5 Turn On the Pumps – Carla Gaines takes the blinkers off today; has tactical speed to either lead or follow close up.

6 Sheer Talent – Takes a huge class drop to face much easier; Jose Valdivia has had a miserable time drumming up business.

Long Shot – 2 Meringue Pie

Race 8 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming 430,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

7 Among the Stars – John Sadler has been active, and winning, on all levels; recent claim can win by improving a step or two.

3 Parade Bound – Denise Breuer doesn’t win many, but she’s more than capable; always going up against the big boys.

Long Shot – 5 Oh Boo Hoo

Best Bet – 4 Vicki Victoria (race 4)

Santa Anita Park Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/6/$41.60; Long Shots, 8/1/$15.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.00

Santa Anita Park Totals – 593/173/$1,086.00; Long Shots, 294/36/$395.00; Best Bets, 36/17/$74.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 Steve (12/1) in race 8 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Cabo Time won at Oaklawn Park paying $10.40 to win, $6.40 to place and $3.80 to show. Stats – 33/19/$187.20; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick