Santa Anita Park Friday; Cost $8.00; April 28, 2023, by Richard Eng, author of Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies 2nd Edition
Post Time 1 p.m. PT
Race 1– 6 ½ furlongs (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $34,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds and up
5 Katerini – I’ve written how I believe Umberto Rispoli will have a big Hollywood meet, this is a good example of why
2 Dolly May – Claimed by Vladimir Cerin and spotted right back in this class level, beaten favorite at 3/5 odds last time out
Long Shot– 7 Gritty Girl
Race 2– 6 furlongs, Purse $40,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
5 Lulu Lemon Drop – In a field where no one looks good, you probably should move over to handicapping trainers, Peter Miller
6 Side by Side – Not many of these horses has ever finished in the money, but this trainer Karen Headley filly has
Long Shot– 3 Anybody’s Choice
Race 3– 1 mile (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $42,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
1 Mecklenburg – If any horse looks like a lone early speed on today’s card it is this guy, catch him to win the race
2 Hudson Ridge – Trainer Bob Baffert has gotten as much as he can out of him, now he is available to all for only $40,000
Long Shot– 5 Rip City
Race 4– 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $24,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up
6 Sonofafinch – Has not been out since June 2022 for trainer Jonathan Wong, he is spotted at a low class level to give him a shot
1 Divine Rascal – Second start off the claim by trainer Jorge Periban, need not be much to compete with these low level claimers
Long Shot– 3 Quick Intro
Race 5– 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $61,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
4 Grand Tiger – Trainer Brian Koriner is among the best at getting a FTS to pop right out of the cardboard box
6 Moon Ice – He has been well bet in this condition before, he’s been close but no cigar, like that J. J. Hernandez remains loyal
Long Shot– 9 Barely Funtional
Race 6– 1 mile, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
1 Nickel Nickel Nine – Like the rail draw in this 2-turn mile, Ramon Vazquez should be able to save all the ground
6 Donttestyourluck – Ran an improved effort last time when dropped down to this $20,000 level, one step improvement possible
Long Shot– 8 Take Charge Curly
Race 7– 1 mile (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $63,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
6 True Patriot – Missed against some of these last time , is reunited w J. J. Hernandez which may just be enough to get it done
3 Eleuthera – Logical chalk was among those who faced each other in January, there is not a lot to choose among them
Long Shot– 2 Sunshine Babe
Race 8– 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $71,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
4 Teddy’s Barino – If she can repeat her last race she will win this, big advantage of recency over the morning line favorite
1 Eda – She is by far the classiest filly in field but she has not started since March 2022, the winner if she is tight enough
Long Shot– 2 Kristi’s Tiger
Race 9– 6 ½ furlongs (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $35,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds and up
5 Heartbreak Kid – Tiny edge is likely the hardest race on today’s card, I’m relying on the class droppers to do some good things
2 Warrior Road – Tepid morning line favorite ran an okay third in this class albeit on dirt, tried grass two races before that
Long Shot– 7 Overrule
Best Bet – 1 Mecklenburg (race 3)
Santa Anita Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 20/4/$24.40; Long Shots, 9/4/$34.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Hollywood meet Totals – 55/14/$82.20; Long Shots 28/7/$65.20; Best Bets 3/1/$2.40
SIMO POD – #4 My Man Vito (4/1) in race 2 at Tampa Bay Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a mythical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. I’m Dr. O ran out at Golden Gate Fields – 46/33/$275.56; Follow me on @richeng4propick; Register to my home page for FREE at www.racedaylasvegas.com