Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, January 3

9 Increase – The key for me is he ran a winning race for this low level two races ago; just needs to rebound to that kind of effort.

6 Mr. Chase – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this career low class; figures to show improvement when facing easier.

Long Shot – 7 Call It Good

Race 2 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds

2 New Summitt – Moves from parking lot post 11 to inside post tonight; should have speed to lead or sit just off the pace.

7 The Man – FTS from the Bob Baffert barn; has been working fast and figures to have clocker reports on his side too.

Long Shot – 9 Zendai

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds and up

12 Tiz Futurity – The George Papaprodromou barn has been hot of late; claimed this one two back, is slid back down in class.

11 Congregationalist – Vladimir Cerin had a quiet year in 2014; an underachiever like this can get him started in the new year.

Long Shot – 10 Finallygotabentley

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

10 Lakwani – How many Ron McAnally FTS are favored right out of the box; not many, so this filly must have shown promise in the a.m.

3 Mio Me – Ran well in career debut on turf at Churchill; went a 2-turn mile, now is shortened up for this hillside turf course test.

Long Shot – 6 Vow Me Over

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

4 Pulling G’s – This horse ran fast enough to win a minor stakes last time; John Shirreffs hands the reins over to HOF Gary Stevens.

10 Whine for Wine – Dead late closer is always at the mercy of pace; one thing they haven’t done with him yet is go around 2-turns.

Long Shot – 6 Well Measured

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

3 Q’Viva – I’m trying this underachiever one more time; key for me is Rafael Bejarano keeps sticking with her too.

7 Underhill Drive – Tried to overcome a poor start in last with a quick finish; she has plenty of gas to use down the hill.

Long Shot – 8 Susan B Good

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $200,000 Santa Ynez, Fillies, 3-year-olds

8 Conquest Harlanate – First time on dirt, but with her pedigree she has dirt top and bottom; should see a wicked fast pace to chase.

3 Light the City – The best race of her career she sat off the early pace; was fried last time in a suicidal speed duel.

Long Shot – 1 Seduire

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), $200,000 San Gabriel, 4-year-olds and up

3 Dynamic Sky – Makes his SoCal debut; has come on since switched to turf by Mark Casse, goes here instead of to South Florida.

9 Tom’s Tribute – His last race was a no excuse third at Del Mar; he was pointed for the Breeders’ Cup, but this is a much easier spot.

Long Shot – 2 Big Bane Theory

Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

5 Lyla Della – Is she runs back to her last race, which was a year ago, she’ll crush these; big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming.

7 Ski’s Copper Penny – Woke up with a good effort in last; reason to believe that she’ll improve again in the sharp Philip D’Amato barn.

Long Shot – 3 Bernier

Best Bet – 9 Increase (race 1)

Santa Anita Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$31.80; Long Shots, 8/1/$6.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 101/28/$192.80; Long Shots, 52/5/$48.40; Best Bets, 6/3/$15.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #2 Energetico (4/1) in race 3 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Majestic Affair won at Aqueduct paying $3.20 to win, $2.30 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats – 4/4/$20.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick