ANALYSIS

FIRST RACE

SNOW CLOUD was a bit unruly during the middle stages of her most recent start going down-thehill, but once she was angled to the clear she finished with a powerful late kick. There doesn’t appear to be much pace signed on here, so it wouldn’t surprise to see her positioned a bit closer to the front in her second start off the bench. MANGITA tries the downhill turf course for the first time in her career as a seven-year-old, and there’s a chance she could still find herself as the controlling speed. If she takes to the hill, she’ll be a dangerous threat to wire the field. WEALTHY SHIPMAN makes her first start for Diodoro following a strong effort on March 10, and the race that day has come back fairly live; three horses have returned to win next out with Beyers of 79, 87 and 85.

SECOND RACE

ADAPTABILITY makes her second start for trainer Edward Freeman after running in a quarter-horse event at Los Alamitos on March 24. Her dirt races to date haven’t been terrible and she’s likely to get lost in the shuffle with some higher-profile outfits also competing here. BLAME THE WEATHER may work out the best trip in this race, likely sitting off the speed horse drawn on the rail, SUMMERTIMEMISCHIEF. The turn-back should do wonders for this filly, and unlike many of her competitors, she’s not completely exposed with only two lifetime starts under her belt. BEAUTY N BALANCE is a beautifully bred daughter of Lookin At Lucky, however she’s going to be making her third lifetime start and first since May of 2016 for Bob Baffert. A half to Grade Two winner Tiz Midnight, this filly isn’t likely to offer much value from a wagering standpoint; if you’re interested in the breeding game, she may be interesting as a broodmare prospect for $20,000.

THIRD RACE

TATTOOED KITTY was off awkwardly against tougher in her most recent start, and today she drops to a more realistic level for her new trainer Richard Baltas. There appears to be a fair amount of pace signed on, so it will be interesting to see where Agapito Delgadillo positions her. PRINCESS MARIE will be the ultimate beneficiary if a hot pace develops, as she does her best running late. Her maiden score most recently was incredibly game, and her effort two back isn’t as bad as it appears. LUCKY DOLLY has never crossed the line first in her career, but she’s the speed nearest the rail and figures to be sent hard from the moment the gates break.

FOURTH RACE

LADY TAPIT gets major class relief after racing eagerly in the Grade One Santa Margarita on March 18 against the likes of Vale Dori and Finest City. Her recent form is better than appears on paper, and despite her 1-for-8 lifetime record, she has several races on her page that are good enough to win against a group like this. LUNAR EMPRESS is likely the speed-of-the-speed breaking from the far outside, and if the pace fails to materialize she could get brave. FAITHFULLY was very early to change leads when scoring in an N1X at Churchill Downs last June and we haven’t seen her since. Baffert has historically done well with these types, however at a short price I’ll look to beat her.

FIFTH RACE

MANDY D was moving well enough in her turf debut before being eased following a bad step rounding the far turn. Paddy Gallagher has done well with horses making their second start off the bench in turf routes at Santa Anita over the past couple of years, and it feels like this daughter of Cape Blanco should be treated as a first-time turfer. LOOKING AT THELAKE makes her Southern California debut for William Morey, and her Gulfstream turf form appears as though it will translate nicely. She was a bit rambunctious in the gate prior to her most recent start, but that didn’t prevent her from putting forth an honest effort. The addition of Lasix should only help her cause today. ISLA CITY finished evenly down the hill in her most recent start, and it’s possible that she’ll appreciate the additional ground she gets to work with here.

SIXTH RACE

W. GILES is the speed-of-the-speed and is drawn on the rail beneath Bejarano; the class relief he receives here should do wonders and he poses a legitimate threat to wire this field. BOY HOWDY has solid early foot but has demonstrated the ability to be successful while pressing the pace in the past. Look for Talamo to press from the outside and make his move rounding the far turn. OLD MAN LAKE makes his first start since August 20 at Del Mar at a distance that’s likely much too short for him. The class relief helps, but he’s likely one to keep an eye on when making his second start off the bench at a distance slightly longer than today’s trip.

SEVENTH RACE

CANDY BOSS set a legitimate pace against a few common foes on March 16 before tiring and drifting out late. The disqualification was warranted that day, but more importantly for today’s race: she appears loose on paper and figures to be tighter in her second start off the bench for John Sadler. It’s also noteworthy that Bejarano picks up the mount; look for him to try to steal it on the front end. LONGSTOCKING has shown the ability to sit close to the pace in the past, and that may prove vital in a race that lacks much early zip. She’s a bit hard to trust when considering win candidates, as her lifetime record is 10-1-1-5. ANITA PARTNER crossed the wire first in the March 16 event that Candy Boss exits, however she was also disqualified for interference at the dirt crossing. She figures to put in an honest bid late, although the lack of pace up front may compromise her chances.

EIGHTH RACE

Cal-bred maidens wrap up the card, and many of the runners with experiencend have had trouble finishing in their races. SIMPLY PARKIN doesn’t have any real pedigree to speak of but Dan Blacker has done very well over the past year with firsttime starters on dirt (3-for-7, $11.65 ROI). In a race that doesn’t appear to feature any monsters, why not take a shot with a firster? BOBBY Z is a full sibling to graded stakes placed sprinter Sweet Marini, however we haven’t seen Bobby Z for over a year now. He makes his return to the races for a new trainer, and perhaps his pedigree will lift him through the maiden ranks. CUPID’S BEAU has shown some interest in his seven lifetime starts and enters this event with the highest last out Beyer Speed Figure in the field (72).