Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, June 13

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Thermodynamics – Good try in the restricted Melair last time out; like the cutback in distance as she gets class relief.

1 Wonderful Lie – Favorite has been away since July 2014; she has good early speed and a rail post to save all of the ground.

Long Shot – 4 Big Book

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 Soul Crusher – Tried speedball tactics in last to no avail; has run much better when allowed to settle and make one late brush.

8 Distinctive B – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to compete with these.

Long Shot – 6 Broke the Mold

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Majestic Minister – Big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot; like the cutback in distance too.

2 Chilada – Gets class relief from the Frans Valentine; this clearly is a much more reasonable spot for her skill level.

Long Shot – 7 Hugh Knew

Race 4 – 5 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds and up

8 Ralis – Ran OK in career debut in a fast paced race; don’t like the post but the one race experience is a big positive factor.

1 Hot Ore – Like the rail draw for the second career start; in an abbreviated sprint the rail is always the shortest way around.

Long Shot – 4 Castle

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf), $400,000 Shoemaker Mile, 3-year-olds and up

5 Bal a Bali – Won her U.S. debut with panache; he was a champion in Brazil and has just scratched the surface of his talent.

3 Midnight Storm – Speedball tactics in a race that may lack pace; he clearly has a fondness for the distance and the Arcadia sod.

Long Shot – 4 Seek Again

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

9 Coolington – Won for a $9K price tag and is dropped one notch in class; we call that Peter Miller shoving this one down our throats.

7 My Slew – Races at this low level can be tough as it’s full of back class animals; you can never be sure who feels good and wakes up.

Long Shot – 6 Frensham

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlong (turf), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Brave Act – Takes an aggressive class rise off a hard fought win; he has some back class so he faces tougher while in good form.

7 Labour – Tepid chalk in another difficult heat; Flavien Prat for Mike Smith who is at Churchill Downs tonight.

Long Shot – 4 Somethings Unusual

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $100,000 Adoration, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Beholder – She has not shown up a lot, but when she does she usually wins; the champ has the Breeders Cup Distaff in her sights.

5 Warren’s Veneda – While she has a sparkling SoCal resume, she really has not faced the best in the division; now she will today.

Long Shot – 6 Wild in the Saddle

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

7 Big Move – Could be a short daily double if she wins after Beholder; chalky way to end the Pick 4 and Pick 6 carryover.

2 Dixie Tweet – Like the cutback in distance for down the hill; suspect will sit further back while making one late brush.

Long Shot – 6 Take It Easyplease

Best Bet – 4 Beholder (race 8)

Santa Anita Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/3/$10.60; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Meet Totals – 417/110/$625.00; Long Shots, 207/31/$376.40; Best Bets, 25/12/$51.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #6 Il Campione (5/2) in race 5 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, My Friend Keith ran third at Belmont Park paying $2.90 to show. Stats – 80/55/$400.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick