Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Feb. 22

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

1 Salsita – Grinding second last time, first race for a price tag; she’s run better figures, so expect improvement in here.

3 Soar Home – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; showed solid improvement in second start.

Long Shot – 2 Veronica Bay

Race 2 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

1 Brave Act – Did everything but win last time in a game second on the main track; returns to grass where he’s run OK races.

7 Do Some Magic – Turned in a career best race last time when beatn a half-length; just found out turf may be his surface.

Long Shot – 3 Mr Lemon Tree

Race 3 – 7 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

5 Sri’s Red – Responded with a career best race first time for a price tag; figures to sit a trip and come firing fast late.

3 Room for Me – Claimed by Simon Callaghan, a young trainer who doesn’t take many; repeat race puts her right there again.

Long Shot – 6 Georgia’s Niece

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $35,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies, 4-year-olds

8 Burns Turn – The outside posts are typically better than the rail post down the hill; Peter Miller adding blinkers on today.

2 Joeandbett’sbaby – Walked out of the gate last time, losing all chance; is dropped way down in class by Vann Belvoir.

Long Shot – 6 Disko Dasko

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

1 Zuzu’s Petals – Rafael Bejarano rides as smart a race as any jockey in the country; will save ground and find a way late.

4 Sidebar – Did everything but win last time in a frustrating second; she has shown steady improvement with each career start.

Long Shot – 2 Lake Maracaibo

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

7 One Time Only – Sharp MSW turf win at a mile last out; shortens up for the hill, it’s Gary Stevens and Tom Proctor.

11 Baruta – Highly touted mare makes U.S. debut in a unique turf setting; not sure how she’ll handle a really tricky course.

Long Shot – 4 Diaminda

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $40,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

5 Golden Itiz – Is sitting on a big race third off the claim by John Sadler; sliding down the claiming ladder to a softer spot.

1 Avare – Speed and the rail, we’ll expect Saul Arias to send; won his only start over the Santa Anita main dirt track.

Long Shot – 6 Carlsbad Mountain

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), $100,000 Sensational Star, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

4 Lakerville – In a stakes jammed with early speed, expect this one to rally late; clearly likes the unique hillside course.

3 Summer Hit – Among many with high early cheese; is turning back in distance, so Rafael Bejarano may opt to rate early.

Long Shot – 5 Ain’t No Other

Race 9 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

9 Profire – Could be the shortest priced horse on the card; expect Edwin Maldonado to grab the race by the throat early on.

2 Alsace – Strong effort to be beaten a half-length in last; has good tactical speed to sit a perfect stalking trip.

Long Shot – 7 Love Forever

Best Bet – 1 Salsita (race 1)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$24.00; Long Shots, 7/1/$5.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60

Santa Anita Park Totals – 608/178/$1,110.00; Long Shots, 301/37/$400.60; Best Bets, 37/18/$78.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #6 Penwith (4/1) in race 9 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Steve won at Gulfstream Park paying $9.80 to win, $5.60 to place and $4.20 to show. Stats – 34/20/$206.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick