Santa Anita Park Friday; Cost $7.50; December 31, 2021, by Richard Eng, author of Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies
Post Time 12:30 p.m. PT (NO TURF RACING TODAY)
Race 1– 7 furlongs, Purse $67,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
3 Districtedprincess – Bob Baffert and J.R. Velazquez have already put on a fabulous show so early in the meeting
7 Angel of Freedom – Has already had 6 chances n has finished in the money 5 times, never been on a sloppy track
Long Shot– 6 What a Feeling
Race 2– 1 mile, Purse $40,000, Optional claiming $50,000, 2-year-olds
2 King Apollo – Ran the best last out race of anyone in this field, so the question begs if he can repeat or improve
3 Fowler Blue – Gets class relief from the King Glorious B stakes race last time out, need not be much in this group
Long Shot–4 Town Boy
Race 3– 6 furlongs, Purse $67,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
6 Feeling Grazeful – Exits a turf race to return to the main track, she’s been second twice in dirt tries so he likes it
3 All Dialed In – Typical green debut where she was slow early but picked up the pace in the stretch run, can improve
Long Shot– 2 Self Isolation
Race 4– 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $67,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
2 McLaren Vale – You could do a lot worse than back Bob Baffert expensive 2-year-old babies in MSW races
3 B Dawk – Made a good looking debut on the turf, Doug O’Neill has nothing to lose but much to gain on dirt today
Long Shot– 5 Top Secret
Race 5– 7 furlongs, Purse $43,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up
4 California Street – Has been claimed in 3 of his last 4 starts, that is a positive sign as different trainers like him
2 Italiano – Has an off track victory in two off track starts, trainer Victor Trujillo and Abel Cedillo are both from NoCal
Long Shot– 1 Heartfullofstars
Race 6– 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $67,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
6 Got Thunder – Was favored against a highly regarded Bob Baffert baby Newgrange who is entered in the Sham
5 Armagnac – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry in all of this 2-YO races, J.R. Velazquez gets the first call also
Long Shot– 1 Wharton
Race 7– 1 mile, Purse $67,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
6 Flying Drummer – Draw a line thru his race in the grade 1 American Pharoah, J.R. Velazquez should have a field day
5 Moment of Peace – If it’s not Bob Baffert who is the one to beat in these baby races than it must be John Sadler
Long Shot– 4 Trebbiano
Race 8– 6 furlongs, Purse $72,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds and up
6 Arham – Like the cutback in distance where he can stalk the early speed from the wide out n pounce on them late
5 Took Charge – He sure looks like the speed of the speed in here, J.R. Velazquez up will play catch me if you can
Long Shot– 4 Canadian Pride
Race 9– 6 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Irresistibly Sexy – Like the cutback in distance where he should be closing stoutly, Ian Kruljac takes the blinkers off
1 Settecento – FTs from Clifford Sise, he has a small barn but he can pop them with the best watch the tote for clues
Long Shot– 6 Careless Kitten
Best Bet – 6 Got Thunder (race 6)
Santa Anita Monday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/5/$26.60; Long Shots, 9/1/$6.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60
Santa Anita Totals – 38/11/$83.60; Long Shots, 19/3/$42.40; Best Bets, 2/1/$3.60
SIMO POD – #5 Crystal Proof (2/1) in race 3 at Golden Gate Fields. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a mythical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. Johnny Sack ran out at Laurel Park – 2/1/$7.00; Follow me on Twitter: @richeng4propick; Register to my home page for FREE at www.racedaylasvegas.com