Horse Racing: Today at Los Alamitos, Thursday September 18

Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Golden Celestial – Exits Del Mar for a much easier spot in Orange County; is 3-for-3 in the money on natural dirt.

2 Jetbird – Taking a humongous class drop to face much easier; broke her maiden on dirt so this spot makes sense.

Long Shot – 7 Yodel Up a Storm

Race 2 – 1 mile, Purse $19,000, Starter allowance $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

4 Format V. – Rafael Bejarano won’t ride many at Los Alamitos, but the ones he does figure to be very live; clearly the one to beat.

7 Two Is to Many – Was reclaimed by Tim Yakteen, one of the strongest trainer angles there is; he addes blinkers on for this.

Long Shot – 1 Street Serenade

Race 3 – 5 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Claiming $6,250, 3-year-olds and up

4 Close to the Edge – Claimed by Jack Carava on the drop from Peter Miller; first thing he does he drop down again.

6 Oh Daddy On – Was also claimed from Peter Miller, by Mike Pender; he too is dropped down again in class.

Long Shot – 3 Sparkle Joel

Race 4 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

9 Jennakins – For Rafael Bejarano to stick around to ride a horse like this, he most know something; collapsed badly at Del Mar.

5 Chain Lightning – Has early speed which may be helpful with these; most of these don’t like to pass other horses.

Long Shot – 8 Sixy Eddie

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

10 One Magical Girl – Huge rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot; Richard Baltas barn has become a powerhouse.

5 Sydney’s Darling – Tepid chalk is sliding down the claiming ladder to this new career low; has tactical speed to sit a decent trip.

Long Shot – 8 Eltoninadress

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $46,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Global Hottie – Bob Baffert charge has not been out in 10 months; showed a lot of ability last fall before going on the shelf.

1 Adriatic Skye – This is the fourth Rafael Bejarano mount to make my handicap today; if all goes well, he’ll be a big part of the Pick 6.

Long Shot – 4 Vegas Rules

Race 7 – 1 mile, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 New Nature – Claimed two races ago by top trainer Ron Ellis; was a bit rank in last so he takes the blinkers off tonight.

6 Gracie Ragazza – More Rafael Bejarano love on today’s card; figures to be forwardly placed on the stretch out around 2-turns.

Long Shot – 7 Hanserella

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Znelle – Broke through with a solid second in last; still looks to improve another step to graduate tonight.

1 Play Maker – Like the cut back in distance from a 2-turn mile to this; makes his Los Alamitos debut at this bottom level.

Long Shot – 9 Zim N the Mailman

Best Bet – 4 Format V. (race 2)

Los Alamitos Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$21.00; Long Shots, 9/3/$19.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Los Alamitos Totals – 111/32/$211.40; Long Shots, 54/10/$92.60; Best Bets, 6/2/$7.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #6 Distorted Dream (8/1) in race 5 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Grand Arch ran out at Woodbine. Stats – 144/85/$805.30; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick