Today at Santa Anita Park: April 6, 2014

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK by Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 1/8th miles, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up

2 Trouble X Two – Claimed by Matt Chew off an OK third; is not bumped up in class so he clearly fits with these.

6 Crusher – Claimed by Bob Hess as a beaten favorite; popular 4-YO has changed hands in two of his last three starts.

Long Shot – 4 Cinco de Mario

Race 2 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Hey Pretty Girl – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; facing a fairly slow group tonight.

7 Scene Queen – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this new low level; need not be much to be competitive here.

Long Shot – 8 Kissin Lucky Lips

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

1 Sea John’s Spirit – Ron Ellis is having a terrific Santa Anita meet; this one ran fast enough to beat these last time out.

3 Copperopolis – Taking the biggest class rise in racing facing winners for the first time; key vote is from Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot – 2 Yes She’s Unusual

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $35,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

5 He’s a Dance Star – Was claimed for $40K three races ago by Richard Baltas; now he drops him down to $32K so caveat emptor.

3 Atta Boy Pete – Has only one way of going, on the front end; Corey Nakatani returns from the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

Long Shot – 7 Showme Yourfriends

Race 5 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Ryderroo – Won in this condition two races ago but was DQ’d; draw a line thru the clunker and she has a huge shot.

3 Gisele At Fonz’s – Taking a big class drop from $75K to $40K; switch from turf to dirt off a career best effort in last.

Long Shot – 6 Susan B Good

Race 6 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

8 Jules Journey – Was trapped inside last time while begging for racing room; can outrun his odds with a clear lane.

6 Presenceofagenius – Tepid chalk was flying late in the lane last time; his two races before that were a lot better.

Long Shot – 5 Snaps

Race 7 – 7 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Red Tesla – Been away 10-months but showed some ability; returns at a greatly reduced class level.

9 Congregationalist – Vladimir Cerin barn has had a strong second half of the meet; tactical speed to sit a nice trip.

Long Shot – 10 Tenkiller Kid

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf), $75,000 Thunder Road, 4-year-olds and up

6 Tom’s Tribute – If the pace gets too hot, this one will be grinding late; HOF rider Mike Smith can do no wrong.

1 Peace and Justice – After two straight wins deserves this shot at black type; has a ton of early speed to succeed.

Long Shot – 3 Bright Thought

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

5 Perfect Tango – Gets the weight off with a 7-pound bugboy; like the cut back in distance from route to sprint.

6 Amina Perfect – I’m going with the hot riding apprentice Drayden Van Dyke; Marty Jones is quietly having a big meet.

Long Shot – 9 Cleverly Beverly

Best Bet – 8 Jules Journey (race 6)

Santa Anita Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 22/8/$51.00; Long Shots, 11/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$6.00

Santa Anita Park Totals – 1,019/287/$1,804.80; Long Shots, 504/74/$794.40; Best Bets, 62/30/$128.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Thieves Guild (6/1) in race 8 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Samraat ran second at Aqueduct paying $4.90 to place and $3.00 to show. Stats – 58/34/$333.30; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick