Horse Racing: Today at Santa Anita, March 1

Race 1 – 7 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up

1 Courtside – Clsimed by Roberto Diodoro so expect some improvement; need not be much to handle this motley crew.

4 Paseo Alegro – Second race off the claim by Vann Belvoir; his best stride will come in the late stages.

Long Shot – 5 Truelee Scrappin

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $60,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

4 Socialbug – Talented colt has a spotty record due to absence and injury; lost to a good one in Scherzinger last time out.

6 Caraquista – Returns to dirt where she has finished in the money 4-of-6 times; has better early speed then you may think.

Long Shot – 5 Peppy Bolly

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 4-year-olds and up

5 Mank – Returned from a 2-year layoff to run a strong second; John Shirreffs runs them only when they are ready to run.

3 Bad Behavior – Bob Baffert is always a danger; this colt was a beaten favorite in debut, but figures to improve in second start.

Long Shot – 4 Taran Taran

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs (turf), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

2 Bob Consultation – Was a laughing winner over a weak group in last; this is tougher, but he is in good form right now.

3 Major Truth – Expect this race to be switched to the main track; has won on dirt and synthetics in the past.

Long Shot – 9 Korban

Race 5 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up

3 Peacenik – Popular claim rejoins the Bill Spawr barn; that angle is among the best betting angles in horse racing.

6 Topper’s Ghost – Claimed by Doug O’Neill off a sharp second for John Sadler; hot riding bugboy Drayden Van Dyke returns.

Long Shot – 7 First Strike

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

8 Chicago Angel – Takes the weight off with 7-pound bugboy Drayden Van Dyke; he has impressed with his maturity.

2 L X Sunrise – Walked out of the gate, but came flying late in last; it was an improved effort so we could expect more today.

Long Shot – 3 Big Rosie Brown

Race 7 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

8 Vindicted Ruler – Claimed by Jack Carava last Del Mar; he returns at a lower price tag than he was claimed at.

7 Willetta – Really turned in a stinker last time; draw a line thru that and her resume looks a lot better.

Long Shot – 9 Warren’s Assassin

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $100,000 Santa Ysabel, Fillies, 3-year-olds

4 Swiss Lake Yodeler – Draw a line thru her turf try in last and her resume looks fine; she has black type from 2 stakes wins.

3 Awesome Baby – Speedball could have some edge if the main track is very sloppy; horses don’t like mud kicked in their face.

Long Shot – 7 Be Proud

Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds

4 Closet E – Ran first time for a price tag in last and just missed; there isn’t much in here to beat, a repeat race may do it.

9 Johns Journey – Ran for a $30K price tag two races ago; will stalk the pace and try to grind it out late.

Long Shot – 8 Samurai Assault

Best Bet – 4 Closet E (race 9)

Santa Anita Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/3/$12.80; Long Shots, 5/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.20

Santa Anita Park Totals – 669/197/$1,193.60; Long Shots, 330/39/$424.20; Best Bets, 41/22/$93.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #9 Philly Ace (12/1) in race 8 at Gulfstream Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Engine ran out at Aqueduct. Stats – 38/21/$210.60; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick