Claimer Is Seventh Heaven

Today’s card at Santa Anita has something most other weekday programs haven’t had -- lots of entrants.

After early scratches Thursday morning, 79 horses are scheduled to run this afternoon, an average of nearly 10 a race.

Perhaps, the best betting race is the seventh, a $48,000 optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.

The 5-2 favorite on Jeff Tufts’ morning line is Cape Town King, a 4-year-old Cape Town colt owned by David Tam and trained by Wally Dollase. He broke his maiden by 1 1/4 lengths in his debut Feb. 10. Rene Douglas was aboard for that victory and has the mount again today against nine opponents.

Smile N Wildcat, trained by meet leader Doug O’Neill, is the 7-2 second choice. The 6-year-old Forest Wildcat gelding could be the speed as he makes his second start of the year after a layoff of more than four months. Tyler Baze will ride for owner David Lanzman.

O’Neill will have two other starters on the program, Milltown Road, a 3-year-old Gold Tribute gelding, in the third, a $40,000 maiden claimer for California-breds at six furlongs, and Right Proof, a 5-year-old Lasting Approval gelding, in the fourth, a $40,000 claimer for older horses at one mile on the turf.

Race of the day: Bold Days, who has won two in a row and 11 of 35, will try to remain unbeaten in three starts on Aqueduct’s inner track in today’s eighth. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the 6-year-old Bold Run gelding for trainer Steve Krebs in the $49,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

One for the road: Unbridled Harmony goes from post 12 to the rail in his second start and looks like a single to begin the late pick four in the seventh at Gulfstream Park. Chris DeCarlo will ride the 3-year-old Anees colt in the $32,000 maiden race at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Consolidated Fact and Loup De Loup in the first, Sublet in the second and Lord Macho, College Graduate, Sweeping Vision, Color Me Free and Five Way Parlay in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/124. Money: Previous day/meet total: $10/$670.40. Total money bet: $852.