Preview: Opening day has come and gone, and now we get into the meat and potatoes of the meet. The first three days all have 10 races so that’s a good sign. Let’s hope it continues. Yesterday we discussed the best turf riders in the second half of the Santa Anita meet. Here are some riders maybe to ignore on the turf: Fernando Perez 0-for-45, Edwin Maldonado 0-for-25 and Alex Solis 1-for-19.

Race 1: 1. #4 Brother Soldier (4-1), 2. Stormin Trick, 3. Overcomer. LONG SHOT: Two Six Wins.
This gelding was claimed last time out by trainer Robertino Diodoro, who is 26% first off the claim.The 5-year-old is moving from an open $10K claiming to a nonwinners of three at the $16K level. There’s also a big jock switch to take notice of from E. Gomez to Tyler Baze.

Race 2: 1. Angel Lane, 2. Sunshine Laurie, 3. Passionate Emotion. LONG SHOT: Adios Princess.

Race 3: 1. Xoxo, 2. Moment Is Right, 3. Codacious. LONG SHOT: Cindys Secret.

Race 4: 1. Basinca, 2. Look Me in the Eye, 3. Spanish Hombre. LONG SHOT: Midnight Edition.

Race 5: 1. #3 Lieutenant Colonel (6-1), 2. Vyjack, 3. Toowindytohaulrox. LONG SHOT: A Red Tie Day.
This gelding is making the first start of his 10-race career on the grass. On the dirt he has faced the likes of El Kabeir, Frosted, Big John B and Melatonin. Not exactly slouches. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is cutting him back hoping for a new career on the green.

Race 6: 1. Rinse and Repeat, 2. Rim Ditch, 3. Brandan. LONG SHOT: Close to Midnight.

Race 7: #3 I’malreadythere (6-1), 2. Lauren’s Ladd, 3. It’s the Ice. LONG SHOT: Horse Greedy.
Jockey Flavien Prat could have ridden for trainer Richard Mandella, but he opts for this gelding trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who is 20% with horses off a 90-plus-day layoff. The outside post will be the main obstacle here.

Race 8: 1. Go Baby Run, 2. Noted and Quoted, 3. Morganite,. LONG SHOT: Tap On a Star.

Race 9: 1. #8 She’s Not Here (12-1), 2. Majestic Heat, 3. Nancy From Nairobi. LONG SHOT: Her Emmynency.
This mare is 0-for-3 since turning 5 years old, but those two wins over this course last year just stick out. Maybe she just loves the ocean air. Jockey Drayden Van Dyke jumps on her for the first time and here’s hoping he adopts the style she had last year when she made one run down the stretch.

Race 10: 1. Speed General, 2. Alaskan Cruise, 3. One for My Baby. LONG SHOT: Hoosier Road.

Good luck.

Friday’s top choice winners: 1 (Grazen Sky $14.20, seventh race)

Friday’s second choice winners: 2 (I’ll Be Around $10.60, second; Rye $12.40, third)

Friday’s third choice winners: 1 (Chief of Staff $12, ninth)

Friday’s long shot winners: 2 (Grandma’s Hands $4.60, fifth; Alaskan Son $9.40, 10th)

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