Horse racing: Santa Anita, March 31, 2012

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

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

1 Patriotic Lion – Didn’t appear to like the slop in last; big rider switch to David Flores for a winning reunion.

10 Givimaway – Was well bet in debut, then didn’t run a step; huge class drop to the bottom can only help.

Long Shot – 8 Zander

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

12 Best Present Ever – First turf try was a good one; this looks like her preferred surface as she really improved.

6 Willow Switch – Big trainer switch to Gary Stute for a wake up call; key change is actually the rider, Joel Rosario.

Long Shot – 11 Zanbo

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

1 Siempre Mio – Sliding down the claiming ladder for Doug O’Neill; his barn has really heated up of late.

9 Goux Would Do – Woke up with a terrific run in breaking his maiden; he cost $250K, ran for a $20K price tag.

Long Shot – 7 Blake

Race 4 – 1 1/16th miles, $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks, Fillies, 3-year-olds

1 Eden’s Moon – Was much the best last time in winning the grade 1 Las Virgenes; she is now the big favorite.

2 Reneesgotrzip – Stalked the chalk then could not pass in the lane; Peter Miller adding blinkers on for this.

Long Shot – 3 Willa B Awesome

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

7 Husband’s Folly – Dead late closer figures to see a solid pace to close into; has shown he likes the hillside course.

9 Titian – Was overmatched in last; returns for a $25K price tag which he won at two races ago.

Long Shot – 2 Star Nicholas

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up

7 Square Deal – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low class; need not be much to get his picture taken.

11 Hidden Blessing – Mike Mitchell cull plunges to the bottom in search of victory; he hasn’t used the bugboy Eswan Flores much.

Long Shot – 2 Howmuchisit

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

3 Miss Communication – Been knocking on the door with 3 upclose finishes; stretching out around 2-turns for the first time.

9 Dubai Cyclone – Finished together with the favorite last time out; big rider switch to Joel Rosario for the money shot.

Long Shot – 8 Askra

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $200,000 Evening Jewel, Cal-breds, Fillies, 3-year-olds

8 Briteness – Was upset last time after a big win two races ago; she may have bounced so forgiving handicappers take note.

6 Starlight Magic – Mike Smith replacing Rafael Bejarano who is in Dubai today; should be closing fastest of all.

Long Shot – 10 Belloma

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

5 Stoneside – Subtle class drop may be enough to get him over the top; very consistent turf performer at this level.

6 Muny – Tough trip in last, Brice Blanc taking over; he is capable of better, especially at this low class.

Long Shot – 1 Sky Cape

Race 10 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $200,000 Echo Eddie, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

4 Pulpit’s Express – He has won his last two starts like there is more under the hood; suspect can rate if required.

13 The Black – On a nice win streak for Doug O’Neill; Garrett Gomez is back and riding in terrific form.

Long Shot – 7 Passing Game

Best Bet – 4 Pulpit’s Express (race 10)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/1/$6.80; Long Shots, 8/4/$41.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 947/247/$1,542.60; Long Shots, 477/71/$809.40; Best Bets, 54/22/$77.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #12 Sixty Acres (4/1) in race 6 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Pinch Pie won at Gulfstream Park paying $5.80 to win, $3.40 to place and $3.00 to show. Stats – 51/38/$342.20; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick