Today at Los Alamitos: July 5, 2014

TODAY AT LOS ALAMITOS by Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Oeighter - Philip D’Amato was a big success story at Santa Anita; like that his main man Joe Talamo accepting these big time mounts.

5 Super Defence - Speedball may be lone speed, the best bet in racing; Richard Baltas barn was also white hot at Santa Anita.

Long Shot - 1 Desert Madam

Race 2 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

9 Queen of the Hill - Don’t mind the parking lot post in these abbreviated sprints; at Los Al they have been winning from out there.

8 Courageousandbold - Claimed by George Lopez, not the comedian; this one has flown under the radar and can win with the right horses.

Long Shot - 5 Metaxa

Race 3 - 1 mile, Purse $46,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 I Don’t Care Who - The rail at one mile is a distinct advantage; the run up to the first turn is very short, horses can get parked.

3 Got Even - Wire to wire winner last time at Santa Anita; is protected today, but the Arcadia race could be a tougher group.

Long Shot - 4 Arkenstone

Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

7 Grand Humor - Draw a line thru the turf race two back and his dirt resume looks fine; tactical speed to clock the speed to his inside.

4 No Ez Money - Mike Pupye gives this one his third start to his form cycle; more speed, which seems to last better in Orange County.

Long Shot - 6 Johns Journey

Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $24,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Take a Risk - Dead late closer in a race full of early speed types; you can usually get some value with Kayla Stra up.

2 Tiznow Or Then - With this pedigree by Tiznow, you could end up with any kind of animal; given another chance on organic dirt.

Long Shot - 5 Sudden Rumor

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

3 Opsec - You’ll have a big edge over me in seeing the tote board action; some of these FTS will come up red hot on the board.

9 Radiant Dancer - Here is another good looking FTS who draws the parking lot post; horses have been winning from the wide out.

Long Shot - 7 Crux

Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Starter allowance $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Rhodium - Draw a line thru the last turf race and her resume looks a lot better; has speed to lead or stalk close up.

7 Appealing Resume - The team of Paul Aguirre and Iggy Puglisi are to be respected; this mare has back class to rebound in this spot.

Long Shot - 4 Tough Business

Race 8 - 1 1/8th miles, $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby, 3-year-olds

5 Shared Belief - Got the kind of public workout in last to prep him for bigger fish; interesting rider switch to HOF Mike Smith.

7 Candy Boy - His resume before the Kentucky Derby is a good one; will provide the toughest test for the champ Shared Belief.

Long Shot - 4 Friendswith K Mill

Race 9 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Yodelmesomemagic - Been away a full year, but showed some ability; key vote comes from Joe Talamo who can be selective this meet.

9 Grace Victoria - Did a pop and stop in debut; when I say stop, she lost 11 lengths in the last call, still her speed can be dangerous.

Long Shot - 1 Lucky S. J.

Best Bet - 5 Shared Belief (race 8)

Los Alamitos Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/1/$3.60; Long Shots, 7/1/$22.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Los Alamitos Totals - 32/5/$25.40; Long Shots, 15/2/$32.60; Best Bets, 2/1/$3.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #3 My Conquestadory (12/1) in race 9 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, River Boss ran out at Belmont Park. Stats - 103/62/$593.70; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick