Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, Jan. 4

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

7 Elusive Jackpot – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry, so caveat emptor; this one is the longer odds of the duo.

1 Miner’s Daughter – May need to only go 2 deep in your pick 5; both Bob Baffert horses can meet at the finish line 1-2.

Long Shot – 3 Regime

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds

3 Kenichi – Speedball slides down the claiming ladder to this career low class; will play catch me if you can.

1 Priddis Wildcat – Another sliding down the claiming ladder to a career low; speed to lead or follow close up.

Long Shot – 6 Beau Royale

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

12 Lemon Drop Dream – Makes SoCal debut after facing tougher at Belmont Park and Saratoga; like the parking lot post too.

3 Grand Giant – His two best races came in turf sprints; prefers to sit in arrears and make one run.

Long Shot – 6 Misdeed

Race 4 – 1 mile, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Black Witch – Bob Baffert filly ran greenly in debut; she stretches out today where her natural speed will be an asset.

7 Having Abig Middle – Would be a good name for a savvy sports bettor; back on dirt after two good turf tries.

Long Shot – 9 Miss Derek

Race 5 – 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

11 Spit Ball – Claimed by Vann Belvoir who is very good at winning first time out; can close very strongly again.

2 Career Student – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Bruce Headley also adding blinkers on.

Long Shot – 13 Deception Free

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

6 Church Avenue – All she does is win races; Ron Ellis has won 3 races since claiming her, yet no one will touch this 7-YO.

9 Luxuriance – Has run two solid races on turf, now trying dirt for the first time; she works on dirt, and has worked fast.

Long Shot – 3 Sudden Sunday

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $50,000, Claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds

3 A Toast to You – He has won half his 8 starts on grass; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip, must time his move perfectly.

1 Shadow Runner – Tepid chalk is a dead late closer from the rail; will drop back yet save all the ground inside.

Long Shot – 5 You Know I Know

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

4 Derby Gold – Exits 3 six figures stakes to run in the first level allowance; major class relief for Bob Baffert colt.

11 Island Sunset – You know how much I like Calder shippers first time in Socal; suspect we won’t get 8/1 in here.

Long Shot – 2 Master Chef

Best Bet – 4 Derby Gold (race 8)

Santa Anita Park Tuesday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/5/$32.20; Long Shots, 9/2/$25.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 99/21/$138.60; Long Shots, 49/9/$114.40; Best Bets, 5/2/$9.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #1 Blue Violet (3/1) in race 5 at Fair Grounds. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Tuesday, Ludo Bagman ran out at Aqueduct. Stats – 3/1/$12.20; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick