HORSE RACING

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

7 Pat Olcott – As fast as this main track has been, it helps to have early speed; the stretch is becoming a no passing zone.

2 Angel Before Us – If the speed collapses, the favorite is the most obvious horse to pick up the pieces in the stretch run.

Long Shot – 3 Girlwithegoldhoof

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $54,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

6 Lula Talullah – Like the turn back in distance from a mile for this; outer draw helps too, figures to be firing fast late.

2 Arousal – Three solid races, now tries the hillside for the first time; turf rail is at zero for the first time this meet.

Long Shot – 7 Eric the Ram

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, $100,000 Sham, 3-year-olds

4 Tapizar – Most impressive MSW winner last out at Churchill Downs; why do I get the feeling this is a glorified NW1X allowance?

2 Uncle Sam – In my mind, this Bob Baffert charge has the highest ceiling; among 4 MSW graduates in the stakes field.

Long Shot – 1 Clubhouse Ride

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

4 Our Bellini Bikini – Reunited with Martin Pedroza who has won twice on her; tactical speed to sit a perfect stalking trip.

6 Saint’s Crown – Sure to be overlooked with Joy Scott on board; type of horse you want with Joy, speed to be forwardly placed.

Long Shot – 5 Miner Pic

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $54,000, Maiden special weight, 4-year-olds and up

9 Isle of Prado – Don’t you like betting a horse that lost rider in last?; I like the key race he ran in two races ago.

4 Kumiva – Tepid chalk in a wild, wide-open turf route; I liked him last time at 26/1, that price is long gone.

Long Shot – 6 Screaming Destiny

Race 6 – 7 furlongs, $150,000 Santa Ynez, Fillies, 3-year-olds

3 Zazu – Like the turn back in distance from route to elongated sprint; gave Turbulent Descent a good fight in the Moccasin.

1 California Nectar – Has a lot more experience than most in this field; don’t overlook a solid win last out over Arcadia dirt.

Long Shot – 4 Plum Pretty

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $59,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

2 Celtic New Year – Interesting 12/1 bomb makes his first start for John Sadler; this guy is not without talent, fires big late.

3 Earnednevergiven – Tepid chalk in the hardest race on the card; is 2-for-2 wins over Arcadia grass, has quickness to be well placed.

Long Shot – 4 Red Alert Day

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $150,000 San Fernando, 4-year-olds

6 Thiskyhasnolimit – Had no shot in the Malibu chasing a 44.3 half mile; today’s pace will be much more to his liking.

1 Tweebster – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry and both have a puncher’s chance; the other colt is Indian Firewater.

Long Shot – 7 Indian Firewater

Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds

7 Cabo San Lucas – Stupid ride last time to open up a 5-length lead in 21.1; expect Joe Talamo to nurse the speedball much better.

4 Ultimate Question – Might get overlooked with switch to low percentage bugboy; 5 pounds off is a major plus.

Long Shot – 6 Pure Distinction

Best Bet – 3 Zazu (race 6)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$21.60; Long Shots, 8/1/$7.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 212/60/$370.70; Long Shots, 105/14/$150.20; Best Bets, 12/6/$21.70

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – 8 Devilish Lady (8/5) in race 7 at Tampa Bay Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Great Indian ran second at Tampa Bay Downs paying $3.60 to place and $2.80 to show. Stats – 12/9/$65.40