Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, May 31

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

1 Ernest Shackleton - I like the rail post at a mile going turf or dirt; can save every inch of ground on the class drop.

3 Jazzy Josh - Another taking a serious class drop to face a much easier task; has the guidance of leading man Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot - 5 Follow Me Crev

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

4 Gold Journey - Has been nibbling of late but hasn’t gotten the cheese; with each loss she faces a slower and slower group.

6 Coded Message - Been trading punches with Gold Journey with neither horse winning; has tactical speed to sit a decent trip.

Long Shot - 1 Classy Chick

Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), $75,000 Siren Lure, 3-year-olds and up

1 Holy Lute - Tiny edge in an evenly matched 5-pack; has speed to lead but can also win by sitting just off the early pace.

5 Pure Tactics - Exits the tougher grade 3 San Simeon for this; finished behind Holy Lute, but will try and turn the tables.

Long Shot - 2 Oliver’s Tale

Race 4 - 4 1/2 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

2 Mrazek - Tepid morning line favorite in a baby race full of FTS; you’ll have a big edge over me in seeing the tote board action.

4 Scatastic - This is a crafty team of Iggy Puglisi riding for John Brocklebank; the babies from this barn have all been live.

Long Shot - 3 Incredible Luck

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 City Chapel - Considering this one is a drop down from the Richard Baltas barn is reason enough to like; also have Rafael Bejarano up.

5 Traweek - Good value at 4/1 from the Robertino Diodoro barn; these are his friends at the $8K level and he is likely to wake up.

Long Shot - 8 Relentless Heat

Race 6 - 1 mile, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

5 Anxious Times - Gary Stevens exited a perfect perfect ride to win the Californian yesterday; the HOF can still do it with his brains.

6 Big Tire - Sal Gonzalez is a hard trying, underrated rider; if you like this horse, don’t let the choice of pilot hinder your interest.

Long Shot - 7 Friendswith K Mill

Race 7 - 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 Cervaro - Will be a tongue twister if the two favorites duel down the stretch together; dead late closer will save all the ground.

6 Crucero - Kent Desormeaux is still riding well, but not getting as many live mounts; this one is a live mount for his brother Keith.

Long Shot - 8 Small Town Cop

Race 8 - 1 mile, Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Five Palms - Tiny edge in a much harder than looks race; has the Bob Baffert magic with Victor Espinosa up, practice for Saturday.

1 Batti Man - Love the rail post at a mile on the main track; short run to the first turn means Mike Smith can save all the ground.

Long Shot - 5 Boyett

Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

9 Roy H - Remember that the parking lot posts down the hill are a positive; ran great in debut, adds blinkers on, and working bullets.

8 Alamo - Beaten chalk from the double tough tandem of Flavien Prat and Richard Mandella; will settle in mid-pack and make one brush.

Long Shot - Seattle Boom Best Bet - 9 Roy H (race 9)

Santa Anita Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/6/$39.80; Long Shots, 9/1/$10.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Meet Totals - 300/78/$456.20; Long Shots, 148/24/$311.00; Best Bets, 18/8/$30.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #4 Chide (5/2) in race 9 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, World Approval ran out at Belmont Park. Stats - 74/49/$361.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick