HORSE RACING

TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $26,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Tiz True - We'll see if the extra sand slows down the main track; this guy figures to duel with P Val on Buc the Spartan.

3 Tropical Heat - If there is a speed duel, Rafael Bejarano will sit in the catbird seat; tepid chalk in a harder-than-looks race.

Long Shot - 1 Vulcan

Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $54,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

3 Bev N Bud - Typical debut, slow early, fast late; if he stretches out around 2 turns OK, he will be a major contender.

4 Spud Spivens - Henry Moreno, like Jack Van Berg, used to win lots of races in SoCal; has a big shot here as a tepid favorite.

Long Shot - 1a Redemsky

Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $56,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

3 Party With Brando - Has a big edge with two solid dirt races, both at Fairplex; good grinder fits well with Rafael Bejarano.

6 Warren's Got Game - Tries dirt for the first time, but the transition is easier from synthetics; P Val will put her into the race.

Long Shot - 2 Lady Lazer

Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $54,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

3 Popular Cause - Speedball tactics with P Val riding, what else do you need to know?; will play catch me if you can.

2 Quail Hill - Has underachieved, to say the least; dirt may be a new lease on life, saves ground and hopefully grinds late.

Long Shot - 1 Renewing

Race 5 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $34,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Asperity - Just beat a similar group on grass last out; Garrett Gomez remains loyal, clearly the one to beat.

7 Kris Silver - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career-low price tag; speedball aided by turf rail out 24 feet.

Long Shot - 1 Concerto's Thunder

Race 6 - 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $23,000, 3-year-olds

4 Cookie's From Tony - Sharp improvement in second career start; was flattered when Devour won his next out.

6 Diamond Touch - Big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot; not much horse, this is not much of a field.

Long Shot - 2 Cody Peak

Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $59,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

4 Crisis of Spirit - Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry, the longer price is Salty Sarah; class relief for this filly.

6 Church Camp - Her last race was good, a repeat is fast enough to upset these; tactical speed to sit a nice trip.

Long Shot - 5 Salty Sarah

Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $19,000, 4-year-olds and up

6 Trueno - It's that poor a field where an 0-for-18 animal can still win; has tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

9 Matamor - Tepid chalk is favored because of Rafael Bejarano; sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this career-low class.

Long Shot - 1 Outrageous Fortune

Best Bet - 4 Cookie's From Tony (race 6)

Santa Anita Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/3/$17.00; Long Shots, 9/1/$23.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60

Santa Anita Totals - 266/73/$464.50; Long Shots, 132/18/$211.80; Best Bets, 15/8/$30.90

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - 2 Ronaldo (5/1) in race 3 at Tampa Bay Downs. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Fortescue ran second at Parx Racing paying $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Stats - 15/12/$84.50