Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Dec. 29

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

4 Mentor Cane – Lost to Bob Baffert’s best KY Derby hopeful, Flashback; ran huge for a barn that doesn’t push their babies.

1 Coastal Breeze – If Bob Baffert doesn’t win first time out, be wary of the second start; watch the tote board for clues.

Long Shot – 10 Starzilla

Race 2 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

6 Key Reversal – Huge class drop to face a much easier task; his race two back is clearly fast enough to beat these.

11 Hodge – Must overcome a parking lot post with a short run to the turn; another taking a large class drop to face softer.

Long Shot -7 Run for Miles

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

7 Boller Bomb – Ran a clunker in last as the 6/5 chalk; her prior races are fast enough to win, but not by much.

4 Miss Fun Run – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to handle these.

Long Shot – 5 Warren’s Chaser

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Marcyjane – Rafael Bejarano had choices and opted to ride for Marty Jones; this filly ran well previously on sod.

11 Three Blondes – Speedball is cutting back in distance; her turf races came at Del Mar, first time down the hillside course.

Long Shot – 12 Fabulous Fashion

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $75,000 Kalookan Queen Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Great Hot – Draw a line thru last in the Breeders’ Cup; will have a chance to bounce back in a big way.

5 Teddy’s Promise – Another who stunk up the joint on Breeders’ Cup day; has tactical speed to sit a decent trip.

Long Shot – 4 Going for a Spin

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf), $75,000 Eddie Logan, 2-year-olds

8 Gabriel Charles – Won his Breeders’ Cup Prevue race even easier than it seemed; pedigree to handle the 2-turns tonight.

1 Rising Legend – Was a stride late in the Generous last time; has that strong Euro late kick.

Long Shot – 5 Under Review

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

9 Tiz the Tide – Speedball ran alike a short horse in last off a 9 month hiatus; figures to be a bit sharper today.

2 My Philly Girl – Well regarded filly got up in the final stride; appears the kind that will appreciate more ground.

Long Shot – 4 Dress the Part

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $100,000 Daytona, 3-year-olds and up

7 Capital Account – Strong closing sprinter tries turf for the first time; certainly has the class to handle this test.

1 Great Mills – Logical chalk is a proven turf sprinter; has tactical speed to sit a decent trip.

Long Shot – 10 Wilkinson

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Hidden Blessing – Speedy sort has had a consistent record at this bottome level class; does his best running in front.

8 Half Dome Dude – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low class; dead late closer will be firing late.

Long Shot – 2 Dance With Gable

Best Bet – 5 Marcyjane (race 4)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/3/$16.00; Long Shots, 9/4/$44.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 34/6/$35.20; Long Shots, 18/6/$77.80; Best Bets, 2/1/$4.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #8 Splendiferous (3/1) in race 6 at Fair Grounds. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Shesabronxbomber was scratched at Aqueduct. Stats – 1/1/$12.20; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick