Today at Santa Anita Park: March 16, 2014

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK by Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

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

1 Aqua Revelation – When a Bob Baffert baby hasn’t graduated in 7 starts, it can’t be among his top ones; facing a slow group.

3 Apostle Paul – Dead late closer is winless in 14 starts; at lead he’s been second 4 times so he has teased his connections.

Long Shot – 4 Misdeed

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Faith Hope Love – Speedball has had the lead late, but given it up each time; tries it different with Joe Talamo riding.

2 Seattle Charlie – Doesn’t get any better than Rafael Bejarano and Jerry Hollendorfer; can sit a trip and come grinding late.

Long Shot – 1 Katerrific

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies, 4-year-olds

2 Tempe – Claimed off a nice win by Robertino Diodoro; suspect speed is her best weapon to defeat these too.

4 Two Blue Hens – Returns to dirt where in two starts she has a win and place; has tactical speed to sit a nice trip.

Long Shot – 5 Miss American Pie

Race 4 – 7 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

5 Thermal Nermal – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low class; key vote comes from Rafael Bejarano.

4 Holiday N Newport – Could be back to back wins off the claim for Robertino Diodoro; this one fits too with Joe Talamo up.

Long Shot – 3 Sky Angel

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

10 Mark of a Gem – Like the parking lot posts going down the hillside turf course; can sit toward the outside and rally late.

7 Noise of the Crowd – Has digressed since a win first off the claim by Hector Palma; key is class drop lower than the claim.

Long Shot – 6 J and S Express

Race 6 – 7 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

3 Pay the Debt – Like the cut back in distance from a 2-turn mile; also is dropping down in class, two good reasons to win.

1 Marla Hooch – Has 2 career wins and both are in Arcadia; has won with speed or near the pace, so the start is important.

Long Shot – 4 Divine Way

Race 7 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), $200,000 Santa Ana, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

6 Emollient – Makes sense for more East Coast shippers; some of the SoCal divisions are lacking in real depth.

3 Emotional Kitten – Dead late closer has only one way of going; will need a contested early pace to do her best.

Long Shot – 2 Stormy Lucy

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles, Purse $58,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds

1 The Admiral – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; this one may have good potential on the turf.

8 Cool Samurai – Wasn’t ready to take on the big boys in the Lewis; has ability and can get a confidence builder tonight.

Long Shot – 5 Roger Rocket

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

10 Mr. Bossy Pants – Has won 6-times down the hill, reason enough to like him; cuts back in distance from a 2-turn mile.

3 Kilat – Been away since June, but showed ability last summer; has speed and ran well twice down the hillside turf course.

Long Shot – 11 Koast

Best Bet – 1 Aqua Revelation (race 1)

Santa Anita Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/1/$3.80; Long Shots, 9/3/$31.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 821/230/$1,403.80; Long Shots, 404/58/$609.20; Best Bets, 50/24/$101.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Dancin’ Lil (9/2) in race 8 at Oaklawn Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Twigazuri Strait ran out at Gulfstream Park. Stats – 47/25/$256.30; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick