HORSE RACING
April 18, 2007 - 9:00 pm
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up
Lord Albion - Reclaimed by Carava, which is always a good sign from a competent trainer; Mig will sit inside and make one run.
Beechmont - Speedball will try to steal the verdict on the front end; chalk from a low percentage barn, not typically my style.
Long Shot - Lite Man
Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $27,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
Beltline Jack - Logical chalk has run mostly good races in 2007; he's won going around 2-turns and in faster time than the others.
My Man Murf - Looks like a solid claim by Becerra who busted a big one last time; stretches out for the first time, but has ability.
Long Shot - Papago Road
Race 3 - 7 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Silvers Surprise - Was left with too much to do last time when a rallying second; Garcia will put her into the race a lot sooner.
Veils de Fleur - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; hate the rail, but the field is full of slowpokes.
Long Shot - Larry's Girl
Race 4 - 1 1/4 miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $36,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up
Skipaslew - Tiny edge in a wide open turf marathon; the favorite, Ring of Friendship, has early pace, but so do many others in here.
Master Heat - Dead late closer should find a pace duel to his liking; Abrams adding blinkers on, but don't expect him near the front.
Long Shot - Get Off the Sugar
Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $41,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Jake Skate - Ran a winning race for this class level last time out; he should be ready for his best in third start off a 2-year hiatus.
Air Race - Hard trying gelding has run much better in SoCal than in NY for trainer Lewis; tactical speed to sit a nice inside trip.
Long Shot - Roy Jones
Race 6 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Goodtobehome - Another taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; need not be much to beat this sullen group.
Sportie's Squeeze - Like that soon to be leading rider Espinoza opted to ride this cheap drop down for Sadler; has some early lick.
Long Shot - A Little Bit More
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $50,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Lemon Flower - Just missed last time to a very good No Lullaby; no such filly in here today, should make a wide move to victory.
High Speed Goldie - Courageous win last time while struggling to go a 2-turn mile; turns back in distance and Talamo, expect better.
Long Shot - Charmin Dot
Race 8 - 7 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds
Kickin Back - Did a classic pop and stop facing MSW kind down the hillside turf course; suspect he'll enjoy today's class relief.
Yvett's Pride - Logical chalk won't have any picnic from the rail in this elongated sprint; Gryder will need to be his clever best.
Long Shot - Milady's Pride
Best Bet - Silvers Surprise (race 3)
Santa Anita Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/4/$27.40; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Totals - 1,334/350/$2,285.00; Long Shots, 667/73/$995.80; Best Bets, 77/31/$125.20