Horse Racing, Santa Anita Park, March 9
March 9, 2012 - 2:07 am
Today at Santa Anita Park
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up
6 Lt. Hopeful - Claimed from Mike Mitchell 2 months ago; he has all the back speed numbers to beat this group.
1 Usurp - Claimed by Jack Carava who immediately hires Joel Rosario; tactical speed to sit a good inside trip.
Long Shot - 3 Gentle Romeo
Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
3 Warren's Jazz Walk - Ran a career topper in last to finish second; should sit a stalking trip under Rafael Bejarano.
4 Subtle Greek - Consistent sort has been second in 5-of-8 career starts; lack of killer instinct, but keeps running well.
Long Shot - 2 Golden Nip
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds
7 Miss Communication - Mike Mitchell filly is knocking on the door; ran a winning race for this level last time out.
3 Trois Aureole - John Sadler has a 3-horse uncoupled entry; Fair Grounds invader showed ability in her career debut.
Long Shot - 5 Sydney's Darling
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
2 Halfapondarosa - Was flattered when Upstairs Maid won next out; huge class drop, she's run a lot of faster races.
3 She's Very Rare - Logical chalk crushed $10K claimers in last; big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano.
Long Shot - 1 Subpoena the Dress
Race 5 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds
7 Our Heat - Barry Abrams has an uncoupled entry, and both have a shot; her race two back is good enough.
4 Shewhomustbeobeyed - Ran evenly in her career debut; sometimes the less races the better in an open heat.
Long Shot - 3 Willow Switch
Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
5 Sage d'Oro - Speedball figures to control the early pace; lost in last to superstar filly Princess Arabella.
4 Indecise - Tries dirt for the first time; has the pedigree, by Pleasant Tap out of an A.P. Indy mare, to run well.
Long Shot - 6 Gittel
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
8 Miss Becca - For forgiving handicappers after being pulled up in last; key vote comes from Rafael Bejarano.
1 Melissa Rose - Claimed by John Sadler from Mike Mitchell; clearly is classy enough to compete with these.
Long Shot - 6 Bodie Girl
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up
2 Sir Hamilton - Lost all chance at the start in last; runs first time for a price tag and switches to Rafael Bejarano.
10 Gothics Peak - Claimed by Tom Blincoe; will race as a first time gelding, which wakes up many a lazy animal.
Long Shot - 8 Magic Beam
Best Bet - 8 Miss Becca (race 7)
Santa Anita Park Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$25.60; Long Shots, 8/1/$10.20; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80
Santa Anita Park Totals - 741/189/$1,168.80; Long Shots, 375/54/$634.80; Best Bets, 42/18/$62.80
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #1 Natalie Victoria (2/1) in race 8 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Saginaw won at Aqueduct paying $3.10 to win and $2.10 to place. Stats - 40/31/$283.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick