HORSE RACING

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $46,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Fantastic Spring – Ran big last time off a 14-month hiatus and for new trainer Miller; repeat effort makes her the one to beat.

Kaitlyn’s Light – Been away 11-months, but showed ability last spring; watch the tote and see if she takes a lot of early action.

Long Shot – Island Lightning

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Sail On Sunshine – Suspect Chavez will be more aggressive today with the lack of real speed in here; he must sit closer to win.

Kokopelli Trail – Bad parking lot post, Pedroza may take back and try to tuck in before the first turn; facing many slowpokes today.

Long Shot – Stingoftruth

Race 3 – 7 furlongs, Purse $55,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

Grinding It Out – Broke slow in last, then found his best stride in the late stages; second start off a 10-month hiatus can improve.

Peace Chant – Ran a career best race in last off a 13-month sabbatical; key is whether he can pair up big races or if he regresses.

Long Shot – Publication

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $25,000, Starter allowance $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Crocetta – Have to love the way Talamo looks in the saddle, maybe the next “natural”; good value as she is making her turf debut.

Promise of Spring – Tepid chalk has cashed two paychecks in two turf starts; she is fairly consistent but has lacked a killer instinct.

Long Shot – The Cat Did It

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Nationhood – Taking an enormous class drop from $50k to $25k; need not be much to handle these, like the parking lot post too.

Caribbean’s Herd – Took to the lower class in last with aplomb; doesn’t figure to see a lot of pace, so Garcia must be aggressive.

Long Shot – Rush Ahead

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $24,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

Hoot – Gets class relief today facing a much softer group; like that Espinoza remains loyal, will sit midpack and grind it out late.

Captain Sacto – Big run in last, now a major rider switch to Chavez for the money shot; may be peaking for a winning performance.

Long Shot – Away Down South

Race 7 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $59,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up

True Dancer – Mullins barn is heating up as we get closer to the Hollywoood meeting; like the switch to Espinoza, he can finish.

Gem Proof – Did everything but win last time in a terrific effort; key is he may have squeezed the lemon dry, needs another big try.

Long Shot – Running Free

Race 8 – 1 mile, Purse $16,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Late Date – Ran OK in a sprint, now stretching back out around 2-turns and taking the weight off; bugboy Williams hasn’t had many shots.

Flower Hill – Tepid chalk in maybe the hardest race of the pick 6; showed tactical speed in last to sit a trip and grind it out late.

Long Shot – Melodious

Best Bet – Sail On Sunshine (race 2)

Santa Anita Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/6/$34.00; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Santa Anita Totals – 1,283/340/$2,226.20; Long Shots, 642/71/$942.00; Best Bets, 74/30/$122.20