Horse Racing, Santa Anita Park, March 10

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

5 Cook Inlet – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; he is much faster than the others here.

4 Ke Kukui – Another taking the big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming; looks like a cold quinella between this duo.

Long Shot – 3 Lethal Intent

Race 2 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

6 Brother Francis – Gets huge class relief from two grade 1 stakes to a MSW; he is supposed to win this spot.

7 Late Night Sky – Been knocking on the door now gets reunited with Rafael Bejarano; likely lone early speed in here.

Long Shot – 2 No Silent

Race 3 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

5 Folk Dancer – This is an example of what I call a slow winner; won but ran a lot slower Beyer than the race before.

2 Filly Power – Taking a huge class drop which affords her a big shot; speed to lead early or sit close up.

Long Shot – 8 Desperate Measures

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $30,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Relentless Heat – Another slow winner in my handicapping book; an Unusual Heat get that can handle turf or dirt.

6 Confucius Junior – Ran a better than looked race in last beaten about 3-lengths; capable of improving in this spot.

Long Shot – 2 A Little Hot Sauce

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

5 Seek the Light – Returns to the price tag he was claimed at two races ago; key vote is Joel Rosario remains loyal.

3 Jim’s Decision – Ran a clunker in last, but his prior three races were all pretty good; switch to hot bugboy Eswan Flores.

Long Shot – 2 Megaride

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up

7 Depreciable – Like the turn back in distance from route to sprint; Rafael Bejarano always puts his horses in the right places.

2 Mr. Make Believe – Should be closing fast in a wide open affair; the pace will be hot with the turf rail out 8 feet.

Long Shot – 8 Don Perico

Race 7 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

5 My Selection – It only seems like Bob Baffert wins every MSW baby race; he has an uncoupled entry, eyeball Splendid Fortune.

6 Fly Solo – This is the lone starter who has shown anything; your edge is seeing the action on the many FTS.

Long Shot – 2 Psalm Sixteen

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $70,000 China Doll, Fillies, 3-year-olds

2 Lady of Shamrock – Dead late closer was too close to the pace in last; expect Mike Smith to take back and make one run.

3 Indigo River – 2-for-2 in the U.S. for hot trainer Jeff Mullins; key question is going 1 mile for the very first time.

Long Shot – 4 Graser

Race 9 – 1 1/16th miles, $300,000 San Felipe, 3-year-olds

7 Creative Cause – Mike Harrington has an uncoupled entry and I expect both to run big; there is a lot of speed in this field.

10 Empire Way – No 3-YO in the U.S. has the distance pedigree this guy’s got; you can seeing him improving race by race.

Long Shot – 6 Liaison

Race 10 – 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds

10 Dr. Evil – Got the ultimate equipment change, racing today as a first time gelding; that may be enough to get him over the top.

11 Warren’s Wesley – This is a leap of faith that Rafael Bejarano knows what he’s doing; doesn’t look like much on paper.

Long Shot – 7 Already There

Best Bet – 5 Cook Inlet (race 1)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/5/$34.80; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.80

Santa Anita Park Totals – 757/194/$1,203.60; Long Shots, 383/54/$634.80; Best Bets, 43/19/$68.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #1 Prospective (8/1) in race 11 at Tampa Bay Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show et, $6 total. On Friday, Natalie Victoria won at Aqueduct paying $4.30 to win, $3.50 to place and $2.40 to show. Stats – 41/32/$293.70; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick