Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, Jan. 5

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

9 Supercilious – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; has the pedigree to handle the dirt.

8 Diamond Flush – Closed well in last to finish second; this is a similar group so one step of improvement puts her in the hunt.

Long Shot – 7 Silky Lace

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

1 Caballo Del Cielo – Highly regarded colt is snake bit trying to graduate; shortens up where his speed will be a big asset.

8 Bench Press – There are many good looking 2-YO FTS; a couple are from Bob Baffert, and this colt is from John Sadler.

Long Shot – 5 Secretsatmidnight

Race 3 – 1 mile, $100,000 Sham, 3-year-olds

2 Goldencents – Has proven he doesn’t need his racetrack to run well; would like to see if maybe he can be rated.

1 Den’s Legacy – Garrett Gomez has found this colt’s hole card; he prefers to settle early and make one quarter mile brush.

Long Shot – 6 Manando

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 3-year-olds

8 Exchange Student – Tiny edge in a very difficult heat; has good tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

13 Kanotwait – Should draw in with the scratch of Tiz Champ; finished full of run in a quickly run sprint, now stretches out.

Long Shot – 9 Sarach

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds

4 Buds Pal – When Julio Canani gets them sharp, they hold their form; repeat race makes him a formidable favorite.

8 Tummel – Lost all chance at the start last time; Art Sherman drops him in class and keeps Aaron Gryder up.

Long Shot -9 Yes It’s Snowing

Race 6 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Porfido – Was left with too much to overcome in last; 11-YO is a hard trying horse with a powerful late kick.

4 Lamm – Tepid chalk in another difficult heat; claimed by Jerry Hollendorfer, he tries hard everytime, especially on grass.

Long Shot – 1 Arcodoro

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles, $150,000 San Pasqual, 4-year-olds and up

6 Coil – This is the last race of his career, so don’t think he’ll be short; colt has already won 2-turn graded stakes.

4 Ultimate Eagle – Speedball won the Strub last spring over Arcadia dirt; capable if not attended to early on.

Long Shot – 1 Jaycito

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $58,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up

11 Power Foot – Gets class relief from four stakes for this first level allowance; Richard Mandella barn is heating up.

5 Klisz – Tries 2-turns for the first time after sprint wins; he was super impressive in last, same kick going long?

Long Shot – 8 Vibrato Jazz

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

4 Pumpkin Pie – Huge rider switch to Garrett Gomez for the money shot; will need a fast early pace to chase.

9 Scary Ride – After a daylight maiden claiming win, things went poof on the turf; returns to main track at a cheaper class.

Long Shot – 10 Hidden Passion

Best Bet – 2 Goldencents (race 3)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/3/$19.60; Long Shots, 7/2/$22.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Park Totals – 113/24/$158.20; Long Shots, 56/11/$136.40; Best Bets, 6/2/$9.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 Long River (5/2) in race 8 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Blue Violet ran second at Fair Grounds paying $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Stats – 4/2/$17.00; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick