Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, January 24
January 23, 2015 - 9:37 pm
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds
7 Grazen Sky - Has run two game seconds so far; showed solid improvement in last, tough to handle if improves once again today.
6 Signature Cat - Still living off the reputation of his career debut; that was a quick one at Saratoga, last two are stinkers.
Long Shot - 5 Rhett’s Image
Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
3 This Time I Win - Ron Ellis has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; this one debuted for a $40K tag, now starts in MSW.
4 Alfiero - This other Ron Ellis is this FTS who has been working well; key vote comes from Joe Talamo taking the call.
Long Shot - 5 Trash Talkin
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
5 Forest Chatter - Broke his MSW down the tricky hillside turf course in last; horses that win down the hill are apt to do it again.
10 Gangnam Guy - Has run three good downhill races; albeit without winning; like the parking lot post to get a decent trip.
Long Shot - 3 El Tovar
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds
5 Chief of Staff - Another private purchase by Jerry Hollendorfer, he has good bloodstock agents; this colt comes from Emerald Downs.
7 Upbeat Tempo - Has run better than looked despite his high odds in both career starts; likely to keep improving with experience.
Long Shot - 3 Stormin Trick
Race 5 - 1 mile (turf), $200,000 California Cup Oaks, Cal-breds, Fillies, 3-year-olds
6 Light One - Goes 2-turns for the first time; has shown ability for the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer and he doesn’t hesitate in this spot.
4 Heat the Rocks - Did everything but win last time in a nice effort; tries turf for the first time and has pedigree by Unusual Heat.
Long Shot - 2 Singing Kitty
Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, $250,000 California Cup Derby, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds
2 Acceptance - Unbeaten in three starts, has been masterfully handled by Don Warren; could this Cal-bred copy California Chrome?
1 Tough Sunday - Broke thru in a big way last time winning his MSW; tries 2-turns for the first time while facing a heavy in Acceptance.
Long Shot - 3 Mischief Clem
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
14 Heat Trap - Parking lot post is often a kiss of death, but not down the hill; should get an A-1 trip for Victor Espinoza.
4 Velvet Mesquite - Has won 5-of-7 starts down the hill, an admirable mark; speed to lead or sit just off the early pacesetters.
Long Shot - 7 Go West Marie
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
2 San Onofre - Has been handled like fine china, a sign of trainer Bruce Headley; does not force the issue before its time.
3 Rousing Sermon - Most of his success has been going long; never question the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer, maybe he can sprint.
Long Shot - 7 Marino’s Wild Cat
Race 9 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up
5 Bbig Bane Theory - Class relief from four graded open stakes for this Cal-bred spot; proven to be a tough customer regardless.
3 Alert Bay - Has shown versatility to win on dirt, turf and synthetics; bottomline he is a talented, hard trying horse.
Long Shot - 7 Awesome Return
Race 10 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
6 She Got Away - Interesting finale where a lot of chips will be riding in the NHC in Las Vegas; Edwin Maldonado for the money shot.
11 Powerful Girl - Ran a career topper in last; key is she must improve a step or at minimum repeat that to have a chance tonight.
Long Shot - 1 Erte
Best Bet - 2 Acceptance (race 6)
Santa Anita Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/6/$59.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$9.20; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60
Santa Anita Totals - 294/78/$519.00; Long Shots, 148/20/$172.80; Best Bets, 18/8/$33.40
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #4 Quality Rocks (3/1) in race 8 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Thoughtless ran second at Fair Grounds paying $3.00 to place and $2.20 to show. Stats - 13/10/$43.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick