ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 4, FOXY LOVER

FIRST RACE

The 9yo multiple stakes winner LUCKARACK is now racing for a $6,250 claim tag, and though he has slowed with age, he showed three starts back he still has the competitive spirit when he won a nighttime sprint vs. Quarter Horses. The 18-for67 gelding stretches out from 870 yards to five furlongs, and is the call to reel in the speed. He won four stakes early in his career. BOUND FOR HEAVEN could be favored based on his good recent form and affinity for this racetrack. Winner of a restricted claiming race two back, he finished onetwo in 7 of 11 at Los Al. FOUR GAELS and MASON B are speedsters. MASON B has been running well against Quarter Horses, first or second in four of his last five. He could get the two-hole trip positioned behind the likely pacesetter MASON B. The latter will lead as far as he can, although five furlongs might be a reach.

SECOND RACE

Despite squandering both similar opportunities vs. Cal-bred maiden-claiming sprinters, PRIVY gets the call. She is one of only two apparent front-runners in this sprint, and probably quicker than her pace rival. PRIVY was a vet scratch Aug. 5 at Del Mar, did not work again until Aug. 21, but posted three sharp recent works that suggest she is ready to roll. Have to give her one more chance, though she is tough to trust. RIGHT TO THE POINT is not quick, but she does have ability and she can finish. In the money four of seven, mostly against special-weight company, she returns to the maiden-claiming state-bred ranks and will pick them up late. RULED BY GIRLS drop sin class and adds blinkers, while SILIC’S ANGEL is the aforementioned pace rival for the top choice.

THIRD RACE

ZIPMAN was only prepping last month in a turf sprint at Del Mar. He trained well going in, but did not receive much wagering support, and in hindsight it looks as if the race was merely a tune-up. He did not produce any speed, but finished willingly for a creditable fourth. He posted three works since, switches to dirt, and is likely to produce more speed second time out. MR VARGAS finished in front of the top choice last out, runner-up as the favorite while missing by only a nose. That was the first start since March for MR VARGAS, who is likely to go favored and could easily wire the field second start back. The high-figure horse off his 86 Beyer, he could be tough to catch. PAPA JAZZ is a stablemate of the top choice, debuting with a solid work pattern for a trainer that has won with 27 percent of his Los Alamitos starters since daytime thoroughbred racing returned in 2014. BARDSTOWN returns from a four-year layoff as a first-time gelding.

FOURTH RACE

FOXY LOVER should start at a short price in this $8k claiming starter, and she should win. Runner-up twice recently for an $18k claim tag, she drops into the starter allowance ranks with speed figures that tower over the field. Looks like a standout, probably positioned second behind the speed, with one potential challenge. That is, she must catch the potential loose-on-the-lead frontrunner AIMING STRAIGHT. The latter is undeniably the speed of the field, proven against similar company, and entered in a race that she is likely to control out front. Win or lose, she is the one to catch. SCATHING popped three weeks ago from the off the pace at Del Mar. She will roll late, as will ROCKANTHAROS, who finished third behind SCATHING last out.

FIFTH RACE

STEPH BEING STEPH chased a blazing pace and tired in the lane in a creditable debut in a highly rated race. The winner Piedi Bianchi returned to finish second in the G1 Del Mar Debutante. STEPH BEING STEPH worked twice since raced, she likes the Los Alamitos surface based on her works, has speed and should be forwardly placed, and should make a forward move second time out. FACTOROFWON set the pace and backed up in her debut. However, she also appears to have trained well since raced, her stable is on a roll and the maiden filly is likely to carry her speed farther now that she has a race under her belt. SHEZA SPANISH DANCE Risa first-time starter purchased

for $250k as a yearling. The Speightstown filly is the first runner produced by G2 winner Juanita.

SIXTH RACE

LITTLE JACK is a 7-for-37 win type, stretching to five furlongs after a closing third at four and a half. All of his career wins have been on synthetic, but he has been running well recently on dirt. He meets a modest field in this $6,250 claiming race, restricted to horses that have not won this year (races for $5k or less not considered). PARLIAMENTARIAN looks like the one they have to catch. Overmatched two months ago for a $12.5k tag, he drops in company, and will lead as far as he can. If the pace completely falls apart, then BADASMYWIFELETSMEB could be along in time. He is only 3-for-50 in his career, but benefits by a longer distance than he tried last time. At five and onehalf furlongs, facing several distance-challenged rivals, he could get a big piece.

SEVENTH RACE

DIVINE SPARK gets the tepid nod in this Cal-bred N1X sprint for fillies and mares. She ran well on this track in December, has been working over this track all summer, and is from a stable that sends its comebackers back fit and ready. A frontrunner/presser, she will be in the hunt throughout. ADIOS CALI will be rolling late. She defeated the top choice in a maiden race on this track in December, has had a solid 2017 campaign (in the money 6 of 10), and will roll late. MIZZEN GLORY makes her first start following a layoff, and first start since changing trainers. She won her only start on this track last fall, in her career debut, so firing fresh would be nothing new.

EIGHTH RACE

MYSTERIOUS MAGIC IAN drops from maiden special-weight to maiden-20, stretches from sprints to a route, and picks up the circuit’s leading apprentice rider. It adds up to a front-running trip in the easiest race of her career. Come and catch her. Also-eligible WARRIOR VIXEN also drops to the bottom for the first time. She has something the top choice lacks. That is, good recent races around two turns. This is the maiden’s 10th start, but she has the best figures, a closing rally, and figures as a prominent contender if she draws in. GIFT GIVER LINDA drops in class and switches to dirt for the first time in the third start of her career. She might be better than her turf or synthetic races appear.