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Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, June 27
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Endless Cruise – When Bill Spawr takes his time with a horse, they usually run well; this one exited a win for a $16K price tag.
2 No Contingency – Claimed by Jeff Bonde off a pop and stop third in last; big rider switch to Edwin Maldonado can only help his cause.
Long Shot – 5 Peacenik
Race 2 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $35,000, Maiden claiming $75,000, 3-year-olds and up
2 Larry Birdstone – Stretches out after finishing fast in two downhill turf course sprints; by Birdstone, a Belmont Stakes winner.
7 Architop – Tepid chalk has a lot of early speed to utilize; Richard Mandella takes the blinkers’ off hoping he relaxes better tonight.
Long Shot – 4 Big Discovery
Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
9 Divine Tale – Hard to envision Neil Drysdale getting excited for this bottom run maiden claimer; still, someone has to win it.
5 Sweet Mz. Poppet – Returns off nearly a year hiatus; in new barn and gets the blinkers off, her best races are without the hood.
Long Shot – 4 Mudge
Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $30,000, 3-year-olds and up
6 I’ll Wrap It Up – Trainer Paulo Lobo used to have one of the top barns in SoCal racing; long climb uphill to rebuild his stable.
4 Next Right – Has two thirds on grass and lots of early speed to show for it; should like the turf rail out 8 feet tonight.
Long Shot – 7 Silver Torch
Race 5 – 7 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
6 Hook ‘Em Kurt – Failed to last when well bet in last; the key for me is his race two back is fast enough to beat these by daylight.
1 The Custodian – Exits a much tougher stakes race for this; has limited dirt resume but he is not facing much today.
Long Shot – 4 J Serino
Race 6 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $100,000 Senorita, Fillies, 3-year-olds
4 Curlin’s Fox – She could be a grass stud as her preferred surface; no harm taking a shot in the Santa Anita Oaks on dirt two back.
2 Long Hot Summer – Gets tested for class in an open stakes today; she has good turf form but now tries 2-turns for the first time.
Long Shot – 9 Prize Exhibit
Race 7 – 7 furlongs, $300,000 Triple Bend, 3-year-olds and up
4 Sahara Sky – I’ve been waiting for this guy to regain his championship form; maybe he is long in the tooth, one more shot.
5 Masochistic – Logical chalk has done very little wrong in his eventful career; this is one difficult heat so caveat emptor.
Long Shot – 2 San Onofre
Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), $200,000 Royal Heroine, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
8 Queen of The Sand – There is some pace in here and this mare has a strong late kick; class relief too from the grade 1 Gamely.
7 Fanticola – Has strong tactical speed to either lead or stalk up close; suffered a gut wrenching defeat in the grade 1 Gamely.
Long Shot – 4 Birdlover
Race 9 – 1 1/4 miles, $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, 3-year-olds and up
6 Hoppertunity – When big money is on the line, the race usually goes thru Bob Baffert; will need his A game to pull off the upset though.
9 Catch a Flight – Has found a way to win the close ones with a gritty finish; unsung horse has really come into his own.
Long Shot – 8 Moreno
Race 10 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
8 Diablo Caballero – Been away since October, but returns to the hillside course where he has run well before; speed to gain position.
6 Where Was Eddie – FTS from Ben Cecil barn has the pedigree top and bottom to adore sod; watch the tote board for additional clues.
Long Shot – 2 Prohibition Repeal
Best Bet – 6 Hook ‘Em Kurt (race 5)
Santa Anita Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/6/$33.20; Long Shots, 6/0/$0; Best Bet, 0/0/$0
Santa Anita Meet Totals – 545/150/$836.00; Long Shots, 272/40/$453.80; Best Bets, 32/17/$68.60
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #2 Include Betty (5/1) in race 9 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, My Adonis ran out at Belmont Park. Stats – 87/59/$431.70; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick