Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita Park, Jan. 6

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 1/4 miles (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

7 Fire With Fire – Marathon distance is a real gallopers race; among many getting class relief for this.

5 Dreamcatcher – Only starter to of won last time out; this is a very difficult opener, well balanced field.

Long Shot – 2 All Squared Away

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Cayambe – Sharp win first off the claim by Bill Spawr; aggressive class rise, but he has the back class to handle it.

6 Malibu Rum – Gets class relief from two difficult allowance tests; offers good value at 6/1 odds.

Long Shot – 4 Quick Enough

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

2 Red Rachel – Good debut second in Arizona-bred stakes at Turf Paradise; dropped in for maiden claiming $30K today.

7 Uniformly Yours – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to compete.

Long Shot – 3 Senorita Cautelosa

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

3 Ashley’s Bambino – Has good tacitcal speed to attend the early pace; been lacking the killer instinct to finish.

12 Magnum Force – Must overcome a parking lot post in short run to the first turn; Mike Smith has ridden him all 3 career starts.

Long Shot – 7 Empty Headed

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies, 4-year-olds

5 Arinyes Love – Has finished in the money her last 5 starts; that consistency is rare at this modest class level.

4 Almost a Lady – Tepid chalk in what may be the hardest race on the card; back class to run a winning race today.

Long Shot – 1 Vegas Rules

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 8 feet), Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds and up

4 Smokey Lonesome – Returns to the $50K level where he last won at; consistent turfer is 9-of-17 first or second.

5 Jimmy Simms – He’s won 8-of-18 on grass, not too shabby; his best races are when he is on the front end.

Long Shot – 1 Maybe Tuesday

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Luckarack – Did everything but win last time out; been very consistent in his last four starts.

4 Kate’s Event – Taking a huge class drop for this easier spot; figures to be closing fast in the lane.

Long Shot – 9 Coo Cachoo

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 8 feet), $150,000 Monroviam, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

6 Mizdirection – She is a true amazon down the hillside turf course; like the parking lot post too.

3 Kindle – Has developed into a real nice sprinter, especially on turf; has a lot of early speed to burn.

Long Shot – 5 Broken Dreams

Race 9 – 7 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

8 California Roll – Reunited with her former trainer Mark Glatt; tough start in last, still rallied fast late.

7 Vonn Nez – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; long overdue for graduation day.

Long Shot – 4 Tiz Lovely

Best Bet – 6 Mizdirection (race 8)

Santa Anita Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/7/$43.00; Long Shots, 9/1/$18.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80

Santa Anita Park Totals – 130/31/$201.20; Long Shots, 65/12/$155.00; Best Bets, 7/3/$11.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #4 Sheza Classy Lady (8/5) in race 1 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Long River ran out at Aqueduct. Stats – 5/2/$17.00; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick