ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 8, BE MINE

FIRST RACE

SOUTHERN TREASURE returns to the $8k claiming ranks after being foiled in a pair of tougher races. A 7-time winner this year, she is back at the class level of her most recent win, and figures for a good trip positioned right behind the speed. HERUNBRIDLEDPOWER crushed an easier group at Los Alamitos last month, her first start since being claimed by Rosemary Trela. It’s a step up in class for ‘POWER, but she was competitive against better company early this year. Sharp filly moving back up the ladder, with an outside post where she can either speed to the front or press the pace racing in the clear. If the pace falls apart, SCATHING could be along from the back half of the field. The gray is in decent current form and looms the best of the late-runners. Looks like plenty of pace to flatter her closing rally.

SECOND RACE

PADDY JEAN shortens to a turf sprint for the first time, with a running style that suggests the downhill will be ideal. The 8-start maiden has been setting or pressing the pace, and fading, in her starts around two turns. That includes her most recent start in which she set the pace and finished more than three lengths clear of third in a race dominated by closers. First time on the hill, her closing “kick” should be more effective. Also-eligible ARROWSPHERE returns from a short freshening to the course on which she ran arguably the best race of her career in May. That was a third-place finish in a maiden special-weight. Down to maiden-50, she should come back firing. LORI’S ATTITUDE is likely to start favored, based on her races vs. tougher last year and this year, on this downhill course. First time in for a tag, she could be long gone. Tough one to trust in deep stretch, however. And, she already lost three times as the favorite.

THIRD RACE

CHRISTY JACKSON is racing at the maiden-20 class level for the first time, and merits horse-tobeat status despite a one-month gap in recorded works from Aug. 21 to Sept. 24. Blinkers on, she finished second both starts on this track in spring 2016, and on figures is simply the fastest in the field. COUNT ON NIKKI makes the second start of her career following a creditable runner-up finish in her debut at Golden Gate. Trainer Bill Morey is 4-for-10 this year with second-start maidenclaiming runners (all in Northern California). ‘NIKKI has two easy workouts since shipping to Santa Anita; tab for an improved effort second out. DRESSED IN PRADA was hammered to odds-on, but lost her rider at the break in her comeback last month. She came back to work five days later, and off her runner-up debut in May figures as a logical contender. BONA FIDE IMAGE finished in the money 7 of 10; she will pick them up late.

FOURTH RACE

POMP AND PARTY will be tough to beat if she reproduces her outstanding comeback effort at Del Mar. The filly had been away seven months, returned to press a fast pace, but was unable to get past the favorite. ‘PARTY finished more than five lengths clear of third, and earned pace and speed figures fast enough for this starter allowance level. If she runs two alike, she will be double-tough. LI’L GRAZEN rolled to a decisive maiden-50 Cal-bred win last out, an effort that earned the highest laststart speed figure in this field. The pace is likely to be quicker this time, so she may have to rally from off the pace. AWESOMETASTIC makes her California debut for trainer Richard Baltas following a runner-up finish against similar at Churchill Downs. The third- and fifth-place finshers from that race returned to win their next start.

FIFTH RACE

AN UNUSUAL GROUP scored a convincing win last out at this $25k claiming filly-mare turf level. That was her first start in two months; she returns from a similar layoff in this spot. The 6yo mare obviously runs well with time between starts, and definitely has a nose for the wire. She is 10 for 27. PEACH COVE drops to her lowest level since arriving from New Zealand. Her races on this course in January and March were her best races in the U.S. BROOKES ALL MINE was claimed for $32k two months ago, a race in which she finished a flat fourth. She returns to the $25k claiming level, has

run well over the Santa Anita turf course, and is reunited with Flavien Prat. CANDY BOSS stretches out for the first time in her career; she might attempt a theft.

SIXTH RACE

CALIFORNIA STREET ran better than the line looks in his debut, and can post a mild upset second out. He broke slow and was void of speed, made a big middle move through the turn, and then lost his punch. Good effort, actually. It is tough to win a route race following just a single sprint debut, but off that useful prep, ‘STREET is likely to make a forward move. CAPTIVATE finished in front of the top choice last out, and with two sprints under his belt, he is ready to stretch out. Blinkers are on, he has speed, and is likely to be among the early pacesetters. ZICONIC ran well both starts at Del Mar, second and third. He will get there one of these days. THORPE D’ORO will be among the early leaders in a race that could unfold at a tepid pace.

SEVENTH RACE

DREAMY GAL ran super in her third-place comeback, then went backward in the second start of her return. She pressed fast fractions and tired both times. Now she has had more than six weeks to prepare, the pace scenario could be softer, she is drawn outside and gets the call to win this Calbred N1X with a pressing trip in the clear. POWDER is on a roll, seeking her third start. Maiden winner two back, she improved a ton last out to win a starter allowance by more than three lengths over a nextstart winner. Sharp filly moving up the ladder will give the top choice all she can handle. if the pace melts, then ALL OF A SUDDEN could be along from the back of the field. She finished second in the same race the top choice was fifth in; both are making their first starts since mid-August. ‘SUDDEN is the best late threat.

EIGHTH RACE

BE MINE has not raced since July 2016, but she enters this N1X turf sprint as the most probable winner on the card. She runs well fresh (debut winner, layoff winner), she ran super on this turf course last year (routes) winning a starter allowance and placing in successive graded stakes, then went to the sidelines. Her workouts at San Luis Rey Downs look solid, BE MINE is the “class” of the field, and can mow them down late. WEST COAST BIAS has improved each successive start of her career. Third last out in a turf mile, she cuts back to a sprint and also will rally late. CHOCOLATE COATED has something the top pair lack. That is, experience on the downhill. Third and second here in April, she has gradually improved and is dropping in class after trying G3 company last out. MOON KITTY and CASH PRIZE are speed.