Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Feb. 4

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

5 Mile High Magic – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so expect one to get his picture taken; watch the tote board for clues.

4 Et Tu Walker – John Sadler FTS is enough to merit a look; that Joel Rosario takes the call is worth additional looks.

Long Shot – 7 Eaton Hall

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up

3 Seek the Light – Rafael Bejarano had options and chose to ride for Melody Conlon; underrated trainer just claimed this horse.

2 His Boy Elroy – Beaten favorite exits turf and route for this dirt sprint; value comes with Eldwin Maldonato taking over.

Long Shot – 6 Me Salty

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $150,000 Arcadia, 4-year-olds and up

8 Mr. Commons – Looks like a man playing with boys in this field; even money will be value if you can get it.

2 Pathfork – Last time out took on the great Frankel in Newmarket; no Frankel’s in here so expect a stronger result.

Long Shot – 5 El Gato Malo

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

5 Real Conundrum – Not a bad debut race from post 11 at Hollywood; flattered when Corner Office won next out.

10 Jonny’s Choice – Exits a MSW where Midnight Transfer made mincemeat of the field; big shot with a step of improvement.

Long Shot – 7 Good Luck Redd

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

10 Miss Communication – Mike Mitchell is reloading his barn with imports and young horses like this one; should keep improving.

2 Belle Passe – Peter Eurton has an uncoupled entry and both have a puncher’s chance; note he’s using Bejarano and Rosario.

Long Shot – 4 Sydney’s Darling

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis, 3-year-olds

1 Liaison – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry and both are very live; steady improvement from this son of Indian Charlie.

5 Sky Kingdom – Got a confidence booster win in last, albeit in slow time; is bred to be a late developer and marathon runner.

Long Shot – 6 Rousing Sermon

Race 7 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming 440,000, 4-year-olds and up

4 Wall Dance – Should get value on a colt stretching out around 2-turns; late developer has always been well regarded.

9 Gab Power – Tepid chalk in a harder than looks race; he likes to rally late, albeit too late in many instances.

Long Shot – 5 Tippety Tap Tap

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles, $200,000 Strub, 4-year-olds

7 Tapizar – This is one talented colt but he seemingly has head issues; he’s a lot like Twirling Candy, better to let them roll.

1 Jaycito – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry and both are very live; this colt has great ability but can be his own worst enemy.

Long Shot – 2 Prayer for Relief

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Mark the Bench – Mike Mitchell claim looks ready to fire a big one; returns to the price tag that he was claimed at.

2 Crossing The Line – Has turned in a lot of good races without winning one; logical chalk is clearly beatable at this level.

Long Shot – 11 Striking Spirit

Race 10 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

8 Fiddlers Afleet – Midwest invader makes his SoCal debut; like the resume he has on dirt, 8-of-10 races in the money.

1 Setsuko – How the mighty have fallen; grade 1 quality animal is still eligible for NW2L, he’s supposed to win for fun.

Long Shot – 10 American Blend

Best Bet – 8 Mr. Commons (race 3)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$23.60; Long Shots, 8/2/$27.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 408/102/$640.80; Long Shots, 207/31/$387.70; Best Bets, 23/9/$33.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #7 Font (4/1) in race 10 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Captain’s Cat was scratched at Aqueduct. Stats – 22/17/$182.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick