SEVENTH RACE

and one-half furlong distance perhaps shorter than he will prefer. The horse he beat, Runaway Ghost, returned with a decisive win over next-out runaway Serengeti. The point is, the form of the race won by ARGOSY FLEET has been “doublevalidated.” ARGOSY FLEET worked well since; he should benefit by the longer distance of this five and one-half furlong race. SIR VALENTINE won big first out, a front-running upset with a creditable figure. The second- and third-place finishers have since returned to win (runner-up CONO won a slow race; third-place Bookies Luck defeated California-breds two starts later). SIR VALENTINE is possibly fastest in the field, and could take some catching out font. RUN AWAY got hammered to odds-on in his debut, and ran to the action to win impressively. He was ticketed for Royal Ascot by way of Keeneland, but he did not train to satisfaction over the Keeneland turf course and instead returned home. Dirt is his deal; he will be involved early. He is trained by Simon Callaghan, who also entered first-time starter ENCUMBERED. A stakes race is an interesting spot for a first-time starter, but owner Paul Reddam did it five years with 2yo Know More, who won the G2 Best Pal at Del Mar first time out. That turned out to be the only win of his 30-start career.

SIXTH RACE

MAKE IT A TRIPLE drops in class from open maiden-40 to Cal-bred maiden-50 (that is a drop), and shortens from one mile to seven furlongs. He earned a big Tom Brohamer pace figure last out setting the pace before fading to third; the drop and shorter distance gives him a winning shot. Not sure what kind of trip he will get breaking from the rail, however. EMPIRE RULER finished second as the favorite last out, but he actually ran well. He earned the best figure (72 Beyer) of his career; the winner Gigantis and fifth-place finisher Atomic Action both returned to win. ‘RULER will roll late. UNNAMED SOURCE improved a ton second time out, fourth by a length after pushing a strong pace. Footing change to dirt, blinkers on, route to sprint, nine-pound weight drop. Lots of changes for the sibling to six winners, including four that won at least five races. Peter Miller clinched the spring meet training title; he can add to his total with two “live” starters in this $25k claiming turf sprint. HOLLYWOOD DON and BANZE NO OESTE are tough to separate. The edge goes to HOLLYWOOD DON, who has more tactical speed, and does not face much in the way of opposing heat. It is his race to win or lose with a front-running trip. However, stablemate BANZE NO OESTE will be running at him late. Although ‘OESTE finished behind ‘DON when they met in May, ‘OESTE did not have a good trip in that race. The bottom line: both Millers have a shot, one on the lead and the other from behind. UNUSUAL MEETING returns to Southern California in peak form, having won four of his last five starts. Those wins all were around two turns, however. Six and a half furlongs might be a little too short. But he will finish. NATIVE TREASURE is an honest gelding (eight wins, 10 seconds, six thirds) whose recent races are good. This would be his first career win on turf, in his tenth try on turf.

EIGHTH RACE

ZUZU’S PETALS trounced Cal-bred fillies and mares last time, and is a perfect fit for the conditions of this $16k claiming starter allowance because she ran for the $16k tag last fall. Claimed for $20k last out by Jeff Mullins, sharp works, she enters as the deserving top weight in this handicap, and the most likely winner on the card. Mullins is having a big season. LOOK QUICKLY is quicker than the top choice, returning from a two-month freshening and dropping in class from $25k claiming. She has run okay on dirt, though it seems she might prefer synthetic. Second preference, question of footing. SWISSARELLA was no match for the top choice two starts back, but she returned from a short layoff as an improved mare and is another with enough speed to be forwardly placed in this five-furlong race.

NINTH RACE

Third with trouble in the lane in his career debut one month ago in a similar Cal-bred maiden turf sprint, PLATE SIDE adds blinkers and should move forward with a race under his belt. He will be positioned in front of his main rival KINGS RIVER KING, who followed his tough-trip debut on this course with an eighth-place finish in a route stake. Back with maidens, back in a sprint, he is the late threat. LOVELY ANZI is the crazy bomber, mainly because he has speed. He gets in light with apprentice Laura Werner, and will take them as far as he can. Upset chance at a price? BOLD PAPA returns as a first-time gelding, first start in nearly two years, first since moving to trainer Richard Baltas.