Horak: 4 live longshots to bet on Santa Anita's Malibu Stakes day

Santa Anita Park offers an outstanding opening day program on Saturday with seven stakes on an 11-race card. Throughout, I've searched for some live longshots in those events. They're not necessarily my top picks, but are interesting exotics contenders to consider at the very least.

Race 2: Lady of Shamrock Stakes

One mile on turf; 2:28 p.m. ET

Live Longshot - #3 Bodhicitta (8-1)

Morning line favorite Keeper Ofthe Stars is the one to beat, and second choice Brill is interesting on the surface switch. For a bit more wagering value, take a look at Bodhicitta. She looked good graduating in a local one-mile turf race on Oct. 20, and the runner-up was a next-out winner. She fired a local training track bullet Dec. 20, while Rafael Bejarano has been winning races with Richard Baltas.

Race 5: San Antonio Stakes (G2)

8.5 furlongs; 4:08 p.m. ET

Live Longshot - #5 Mugaritz (10-1)

Defending champion Gift Box is back for more, and he figures to vie for favoritism with sharp gelding Midcourt. Gray Magician is the lone 3-year-old entrant, and Draft Pick is classy enough to score. Mugaritz is a longshot worth considering, however, if the morning line holds up. He deserves a shot in southern California after rattling off six straight wins up north. The 4-year-old gelding owns early pressing versatility and likes this distance.

Race 7: La Brea Stakes (G1)

7 furlongs; 5:18 p.m. ET

Live Longshot - #7 Hard Not To Love (6-1)

Bellafina is strictly the one to beat, and she figures to go off at less than even money. Five Star is lightly raced with upside, and Bell’s the One likes seven panels and should be finishing. Hard Not To Love might fall through the cracks from an odds standpoint. The lightly raced $400,000 purchase is 3-for-4 lifetime, and I like her pressing running style for Mike Smith and John Shirreffs. 

Race 9: Malibu Stakes (G1)

7 furlongs; 6:26 p.m. ET

Live Longshot - #3 Manny Wah (8-1)

Omaha Beach stands out in this contest. He drew an advantageous outside post versus four opponents, and he just looks better than these on paper. Complexity ships in for Chad Brown, and the speedster will have to deal with rail-sitter Much Better in the early going. Roadster turns back for Bob Baffert, and he needs to rediscover his sharp spring form. That leaves Manny Wah, and he is intriguing. Running under Baffert's name for trainer Wayne Catalano, he turned back and ran big races in his last two starts at six furlongs. He probably won’t beat Omaha Beach, but he can complete the exacta.