HORSE RACING
TODAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK
By RICHARD ENG

RACE #8 - AQUEDUCT - 3:44 PM EASTERN POST

6.0 FURLONGS THREE YEAR OLDS OPTIONAL CLAIMING $42,000.00 PURSE

#1 MAGIC TIGER
#2 CITIZEN'S ARREST
#5 MAGNIFICATION
#4 LION ATTACK

#1 MAGIC TIGER is both the overall speed and pace profile leader in this O.C. field sprinting at today's distance of 6.0 furlongs on the dirt, and has won three of his last five outings overall, including back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in his last two starts. Jockey Charles Lopez and Trainer Steve Asmussen send him to the post today ... they've "whacked the tote board" with 67% of their entries saddled as a team to date. #2 CITIZEN'S ARREST posted a win in his 3rd race back, and comes off a "POWER RUN PERFORMANCE" in his last start, in a race which was contested at today's TrackMaster PLUS Class Level of 99,

Beulah Park - Race #6 - Post: 3:35pm - Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $3500 Class Rating: 78

Rating:

Choice Plays:

#1 IDIDPLENTY (ML=5/1)
#4 MR ROCKET (ML=7/2)


IDIDPLENTY - Don't throw this horse out due to his last race at Beulah Park where he finished fourth on a muddy track. Expect better today. This gelding is rounding his way back into shape. Should perform well today. I just may give this one a chance. Should rebound off last race where he did run outside the top 3, but was within five lengths at the wire. This thoroughbred has increased his speed ratings from a fig of 54 to 58 to 66 in succession. A repeat of that last race on Feb 27th where he registered a rating of 66 looks good enough to prove victorious in this event. MR ROCKET - This horse seems to run pretty good after a layoff. Ranked at the top in earnings per race entered. Another indication that this horse outclasses this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 SAHAB (ML=2/1), #8 TRAIL BOSS (ML=4/1), #6 COME SOON (URU) (ML=6/1),

SAHAB - 78/75/61, are the deteriorating speed figures for this vulnerable equine. If you keep betting these kind of 'hanger' types, you're going to be disappointed regularly. TRAIL BOSS - Horse ran a great rating last time around the track, but that was on a sloppy track. Notched a disappointing fig last time around the track in a $2,500 Claiming race on Feb 22nd. Unlikely to see an improved performance off of that rating. COME SOON (URU) - Didn't hit the board on January 22nd at Laurel Park. Followed it up with another lackluster performance.
 

Laurel Park - Race #9 - Post: 4:21pm - Maiden Claiming - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $9000 Class Rating: 50

Rating:

Choice Plays:

#5 CITI DISPUTE (ML=8/1)
#10 SMOKIN SIAMESE (ML=7/2)


CITI DISPUTE - Faced tougher last time around the track at Laurel Park. Based on Equibase class ratings, this is a weaker bunch, so I will put this one on my list of choice plays. I like the fact that this filly's last speed rating, 44, is tops in this group. I usually like playing sprinters who are 3-4 races into a return to racing. SMOKIN SIAMESE - This filly is in good condition, having run a nice race on Feb 25th, finishing third.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 CANADIAN CAPER (ML=5/2), #8 MYPRINCESSABIGAIL (ML=4/1), #11 DOWN YONDER (ML=6/1),

CANADIAN CAPER - A pattern of dropping speed ratings 48/38/29 for this pony. MYPRINCESSABIGAIL - Way too far back on Dec 4th for me to support at the probable odds in today's sprint clash. This horse hasn't been close at the wire recently. DOWN YONDER - The Brain always warns me to stay away from thoroughbreds in sprint contests that haven't finished in the money in short distance races recently.

GUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - CITI DISPUTE - Deceptive early and closing speed on this one. Navarro should have her ready as they turn for home to make a champion's move.
 
 
 

Race 7 - Maiden Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $9800 Class Rating: 64

FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 117 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000, FOR EACH $1,000 TO $8,000 1 LB.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 3 CALIFORNIA SMART 1/1
	# 1 LIKE THE PRINCE 3/1
	# 4 HUNDRED SECRETS 20/1

CALIFORNIA SMART has a competitive shot to take this race. Overall the Equibase Speed Figures of this equine look very good in this competition. Likely to see a much improved effort with the drop. Must be given a chance given the class of races run lately. LIKE THE PRINCE - Has to be given a shot here on the basis of the figures in the speed section alone. Ought to compete soundly in the early speed battle which bodes well with this field. HUNDRED SECRETS - Might see a different equine here with the blinkers change.

Race 6 - Claiming - 8.2f on the Dirt. Purse: $11000 Class Rating: 80

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES OR WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE MARCH 12, 2009. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE FEBRUARY 12 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 4 K C SHUFFLE 4/1
	# 7 CAN'T BEAT IT 8/5
	# 2 SALT MOUNTAIN 15/1

K C SHUFFLE is my choice. Is difficult not to consider based on Equibase Speed Figures which have been solid - 77 avg - of late. The speed figure of 63 from his last race looks strong in here. Has performed solidly lately in route races, posting a nifty 83 avg Equibase speed fig. CAN'T BEAT IT - Is difficult not to examine based on speed figures which have been decent - 89 avg - of late. This gelding looks very good in this contest since Autrey has a very solid win percent with horses going this distance. SALT MOUNTAIN - Should be given a shot as he drops to compete against this less demanding field of horses.

Race 8 - Post: 9:30 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 86 - Purse:$2500 - CLAIMING PRICE $6,000

CELEBRITY BEST looks competitive to best this field of horses. Hard to put finger on it, but favor him in this event. Could beat this pack, just look at the speed fig - 86 - from his last effort. ITCHY PICKLE'S - The handicapping group will always toss in a standardbred from the 1 hole here at Maywood Park, always worth a look. Enters this competition with really strong TrackMaster class figures in relationship to the field of horses - worth a look. O D B - The trainer Cozzi has a knack with this gelding, regularly cashing in their contests. Sutton has been hot as a pistol the past month, winning at a good 19 percent.

Race 11 - Post: 7:15 - 1 mile. TROT - Class Rating: 94 - Purse:$16500 - CD ALL AGES F& M NW $18,000 LAST 5 STARTS AE: NW 8 EXT PM RACES LIFE

The consensus in this race is that KATIE'S RED ROSE is the one to beat. With a competitive 91 TrackMaster SR last time out, will positively be a factor in this gathering. More wins than the expected average have been recorded by horses lining up behind the 5 post at The Meadows. ROSE RUN KEEPSAKE - Worth looking at here on the basis of the numbers in the TrackMaster speed fig department alone. Handicappers should make a mental note that this race horse runs with second time Lasix today. WHOTOOKWHAT - The consortium gives this contender a respectable chance to take this race, class numbers are tops in the bunch. Could dominate this group, just look at the TrackMaster Speed Rating - 94 - from her last performance.