Today at Santa Anita Park: Feb. 15, 2014
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK by Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up
4 Aqua Revelation – Leading rider Rafael Bejarano always gets his horses in the right spots; this one for Bob Baffert barn.
6 Snaps – Big trainer switch to HOF Richard Mandella; he takes the blinkers off and puts F Prat up, live mount for live rider.
Long Shot – 5 Scarly Charly
Race 2 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up
1 Gal Has to Like It – Taking a huge class drop from $20K to $8K; speed to protect the rail and save all the ground throughout.
3 Paseo Alegro – Claimed by Vann Belvoir, which is a very good thing; like that he hires to top rider like Corey Nakatani.
Long Shot – 7 Street Car
Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), $75,000 Baffle, 3-year-olds
3 Royal Banker – You know I like cut back horses; this one figures to sit in arrears and make one explosive challenge late.
2 Gangnam Guy – Ran well in first try down the hillside turf course; tactical speed to take advantage of the rail 15 feet out.
Long Shot – 6 Red Outlaw
Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up
7 On My Honor – Has a lot of back class where he can improve upon his last two races; tactical speed to sit a nice trip.
3 Pass the Pico – Joins the Peter Miller barn, first thing he does is make him a gelding; that is the ultimate equipment change.
Long Shot – 4 Awesome Indy
Race 5 – 7 furlongs, $200,000 San Vicente, 3-year-olds
6 Kobe’s Back – If he runs today as well as he’s been working, the field is running for second; been a highly hyped animal.
5 Cherubim – Superb MSW victory over a highly touted Chelios; was flattered when Chelios won next time out.
Long Shot – 3 Papa Turf
Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
8 Autumn View – Ran very well in first race down the hillside turf course; was flattered when Velvet Mass won next time out.
2 Warren’s Cracker – I keep telling you I like cut back horses; it’s especially interesting down the hillside turf course.
Long Shot – 1 Van Dien Avenue
Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds
9 Fifteen Black – For those who play roulette, you know what this name means; was a 4/5 favorite in debut, working fast for this.
5 Nooten – Tepid chalk has one caveat for me; was on the vet’s list on Jan. 25, but has worked twice since and may be just fine.
Long Shot – 6 Whine for Wine
Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
6 My Gi Gi – Consistent mare is 9-for-15 in the money on grass; hot riding Mike Smith takes over for the money shot.
7 Bee Brave – Spectacular rally to win in her U.S. debut; Rafael Bejarano had choie\ces and opted to ride for Simon Callaghan.
Long Shot – 8 Flashy Ways
Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
12 Capers N Wine – Takes a big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming; has run for a price tag twice before though.
9 Red Barris – Has threatened to run a big one for Steve Knapp; like that Joe Talamo stays loyal while facing a lot of slowpokes.
Long Shot – 11 Rambunchkie
Best Bet – 6 Kobe’s Back (race 5)
Santa Anita Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/4/$28.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$8.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.00
Santa Anita Park Totals – 541/157/$973.40; Long Shots, 268/32/$353.60; Best Bets, 33/15/$66.20
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #4 Sweet N Discreet (5/2) in race 10 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Enterprising ran third at Golden Gate Fields paying $2.10 to show. Stats – 30/16/$151.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick