ANALYSIS

FIRST RACE

A competitive starter allowance scheduled for the downhill turf course kicks off the five-day racing week; JOEJOE’S KINGDOM gets the call based on a solid maiden-claiming win last out. He pressed legitimate fractions and won by a neck over a good field. The runner-up returned to win a maiden special-weight at Golden Gate; the fifth-place finisher returned to win a maiden-75 at Santa Anita. JOEJOE’S KINGDOM should handle turf (by Animal Kingdom) and he has enough speed to be forwardly placed over a course that recently favored speed. JOERAY won a fast-pace maiden-50 route on dirt. He cuts back to a sprint, and tries turf. Sharp horse fits on the class hike, first start off the claim by David Jacobson. ZIPPY GROOM drops in class and will roll from behind. LUKE’S ON FIRE split the field last time against tougher company; his two previous starts put him in the hunt. Like many in this field, he is first-time turf.

SECOND RACE

This Cal-bred maiden-50 sprint for fillies and mares resembles a maiden-20. Not a strong bunch. Seven-start maiden KNOWITALLHOUSEWIFE is the pick despite having lost five times at the maiden20 level and once at this state-bred maiden-claiming level. But she returns fresh with apparently sharp works at Del Mar, and might be the speed of the field. Come and catch her. DEL MAR DIVA adds blinkers and tries a rider switch. Trainer Mike Machowsky and jockey Kent Desormeaux are 3-for-6 since summer 2016. Comeback dropper HER ROYALNESS returns from a year-and-one-half layoff with a solid workout pattern and a slight drop from state-bred special-weight. First-time starter SO EURO appears to have trained all right; CLEARLY GONE missed by a neck in her debut. This is her first start since summer 2016.

THIRD RACE

OUT OF PATIENCE looks like lone speed in this small-field claiming route. Up a notch after a front-running win for $20k, the veteran gelding could be loose on the lead at a short price. Only five runners. EAGLE SCREAMS was claimed by Jacobson from a runner-up finish for $20k on turf. The gelding is 0-for-9 on dirt (in the money three times), but at least he is in good form. GENTRIFIED trounced N3L claiming company last time by eight lengths. Back-to-back wins could happen, although his off-the-pace style puts him at the mercy of the pace. And it looks like this field has just one front-runner. HOWDY finished only a length behind the top choice last out.

FOURTH RACE

FULL ACCESS meets easier in this turf mile, $32k claiming nonwinners of three. He split the field last out in a state-bred allowance sprint; his careerbest races were his two starts at this mile distance. AT EASE ran like a horse that may have needed the start two weeks ago, finishing fifth at this level. Wheeled back on short notice and stretching from a sprint to a route, the stretch-running veteran will pick them off late. His odds should be high; he was 41-1 in his comeback. TAIMA THE HAWK also stretches back out to a mile; his three starts at this distance produced two thirds and a second. ‘HAWK will roll late. BEDEVILED won a $25k claiming N2L last out on dirt; he has run well on turf.

FIFTH RACE

CHIEFS LIL PEARL is the most probable winner on the card, making her local debut after winning four of eight in Northern California. Claimed last out for $12.5k by Jerry Hollendorfer, her running style and outside post translate to a pressing trip in the clear. As for the surface switch from synthetic to dirt, no problem. She won a maiden dirt race last summer at Sacramento. TIGER MOM returns from a two-month freshening, down a notch with a front-running style that will put her in contention all the way. LA CHEPIS has been facing better company. She returns to the claiming ranks, and will be ridden by 10-pound apprentice Asa Espinoza. A nephew of jockey Victor Espinoza, Asa Espinoza has two third-place finishes from four career mounts. MISS PRETTY is the speed of the field. However, only one of the last 17 sprints at six furlongs was won by the pacesetter.

SIXTH RACE

HOT SEAN and CAT BURGLAR are the principals in this N3X dirt route. Both are trained by Bob Baffert. HOT SEAN looks like the speed of the field; he won a N2X last out after dueling through a strong pace. The 3-for-7 colt is making just his third start following a comeback; he has gradually improved as his career unfolded. At age 4, this could be a big year for the Flatter colt who is a sibling to 2015 Fountain of Youth winner (via disqualification) Itsaknockout. If the top choice falters, 8yo veteran CAT BURGLAR could be in the right spot to take advantage. He has a pressing style that should lead to a good trip. This is his first start since July; he runs well fresh; all six career wins were on this track. The top pair are likely to dominate the race at a distance favorable to speed. Over the past five weeks, all 11 races at this mile and a sixteenth distance were won by a horse positioned first or second. DALMORE, a G3 winner here in summer 2016, also makes his first start since last summer. He will be running late; his workout pattern suggests he is ready.

SEVENTH RACE

A deep field of N2X turf milers entered; SPANISH HOMBRE gets the call based on his sharp form late last year when he won both Santa Anita turf miles by open lengths. Freshened since a decisive N1X win on Dec. 26, the versatile gelding has tactical speed and a finishing kick. ANATOLIAN HEAT finished an even-paced fourth in his sprint comeback. He spent most of his career sprinting, but did win a maiden turf mile here two years ago. His turf-sprint form last summer and fall was outstanding; he figures as a legit contender on the stretch-out. COLONIST will roll late in a race likely to unfold at a swift pace. He returns to turf after a distant fourth last out against race-6 selection Hot Sean. Also, blinkers back on. HARBOUR MASTER stretches back out, his closing style suits the pace scenario. TRIBAL FIGHTER adds speed, while also-eligible TWENTYTWENTYVISION will be rolling late. Deep race.

EIGHTH RACE

The fourth-place debut by LORD RAYLEIGH was better than it looks on paper, and stamps the Golden Gate shipper the one to beat in another deep race on an interesting Thursday card. This is a sprint for 3yo Cal-bred maidens. LORD RAYLEIGH lacked speed first out, steadied briefly on the turn, regained his stride, searched for room through the lane, split horses and finished willingly. Very solid debut. He shipped to Santa Anita early this month, posted a solid five-furlong workout, and stretches from six furlongs to six and a half. Plenty of speed to flatter his rally. FLY FIRST CLASS ran super in his debut, finishing third after dueling on a fast pace until deep stretch. With a race under his belt, improvement is likely. Firsttime starter COIL TO STRIKE has worked fast for his debut. His dam produced two runners including a debut winner. First-time starter FAMOUS ROCK STAR also worked fast; his dam produced stakes winners Tribal Gal and J P Rocker.