Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, June 18

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Pure – Tough if the travel to Pimlico for the Black Eyed Susan didn’t take too much out of her; class relief is a big key.

5 Divina Comedia – French import makes her first start over dirt; has been a grass specialist so far, good spot to answer the question.

Long Shot – 3 Melanistic

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

7 Aaron Again – The fact that he was 5/2 odds in last and ran OK is enough to make him the morning line favorite; need not be much.

5 Empire Cat – Chance in a truly ugly looking race; he is a grinder who figures to keep coming in the stretch while other collapse.

Long Shot – 3 The Gold Monkey

Race 3 – 1 mile, Purse $35,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

5 Afleet in Time – Rafael Bejarano makes his first showing of the day in here; grinder figures to be rolling along in the lane.

2 Tiz Jolie – Was claimed two races ago by trainer Bill Spawr; ran a much improved effort in last, key will he if he can repeat it.

Long Shot – 3 Signature Cat

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $28,000, Starter handicap $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Spirit of Ten – Claimed by Philip D’Amato which can only be a good thing; rehires Tyler Baze who has ridden well for the barn.

1 Cleverly Beverly – I like the rail post in 2-turn mile races on turf or dirt; save all the ground, better with rail out 30 feet.

Long Shot – 7 Four Times Lucky

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

6 Uptown Twirl – She cost $630K at auction so they hope she can run some; clocker’s have the best information with the many FTS.

8 Right There – Was the chalk in her career debut; she ran on well for second and will be tough if she improves just one step.

Long Shot – 9 Tiz a Tommy Town

Race 6 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 30 feet), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Diamond Cut – Did everything but win last time in a frustrating inch loss; if she repeats the race she could win by daylight.

6 My Sweet Afleet – Finished right behind the chalk last time out; has good early speed, an asset with turf rail out 30 feet tonight.

Long Shot – 7 True History

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse 460,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

6 Cherubim – Difficult heat in the fact the main contenders all run with early speed; someone has to take back, or do they?

5 Heir of Storm – She may be the speed of the speed; Gary Stevens is no stranger to sending so he may just throw down the gauntlet.

Long Shot – 3 Drover Crazy

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Sparkling Peg – When Bill Spawr makes a claim and then sits on the horse a while, he’s usually deadly; watch the tote board for clues.

7 Queen’s Balladier – Making the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; should be running on with energy late.

Long Shot – 9 Crystal Harbor

Best Bet – 2 Diamond Cut (race 6)

Santa Anita Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/5/$25.80; Long Shots, 9/1/$6.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Meet Totals – 451/121/$678.40; Long Shots, 225/33/$390.20; Best Bets, 27/13/$53.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 Harbor Bound (5/2) in race 5 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Vitani won at Churchill Downs paying $5.00 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Stats – 82/57/$413.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick