SANTA ANITA

back victory Jan. 21 at this mile and one-eighth trip and looks like the type colt that can move right through his conditions. The son of Tapit is the best runner produced by Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Life is Sweet; LIFELINE moves up in class to N2X as the one to beat. Of course, this field is considerably tougher than the field he beat. Five that finished behind him in that N1X ran back, producing just a pair of thirds. TEQUILA JOE won this N2X condition last summer at Del Mar, then was in many tough spots. He raced in five stakes including three G2s, and simply was not good enough. Now he returns to the N2X level, is entered for the optional $62.5k claim tag, and will roll late. ROYAL ALBERT HALL returns from a two-month freshening, with speed figures from last spring and summer that indicate he is fast enough for this level. It’s been two years since his last victory (March 2016).

SEVENTH RACE

BROOME is the one to beat in this special-weight sprint for fillies. Her runner-up comeback was solid. She pressed a fast pace and finished four lengths clear of third. The filly that beat her (Spring Lily) was scheduled to start as a leading contender in the G3 Santa Ysabel Stakes (race 6) on Saturday. HOT AUTUMN, by outstanding debut sire Tiz Wonderful, debuts with a string of flashy works including a 34.20 gate work on Wednesday. Based on her works and pedigree, she might be the one to catch. WHATA FLIRT makes her first start since last May, for a trainer whose comebackers are often ready to roll. She was well-backed last summer, finished fourth, and was sidelined. She is a sibling to seven winners including a G3 winners. SENSIBLE MYTH raced evenly and finished fourth in her comeback on turf. Dirt will be something new.

EIGHTH RACE

Lots of questions in this $6,250 claiming sprint. LAMBO LUXX finished second last out at this level, was claimed, but the claim was voided when he did not pass a post-race veterinary exam. Freshened nearly two months, his presence at this class level makes more sense than the presence of his main rivals. IRON ROB was claimed for $20k two back, finished fifth first off the claim, and now drops to the bottom. Not a good pattern, but it was only November when he won a $25k claiming race by open lengths. MESA SKY was claimed for $20k three months ago; he shows up at the bottom, first start off the claim.

NINTH RACE

The maiden win last out by ACHIRA was impressive. She pressed the pace, took charge the final quarter, finished in 23.72 seconds and won well. The race was validated when the three-two finishers returned to run one-two. Up the ladder with ACHIRA. LYNNE’S LEGACY was racing over her conditions last month when she trailed in a N2X. That was her first in three months. She returns to the N1X level, and ran races last year that make her a threat. CAUSEFORCOMMOTION has gradually improved as her career has unfolded. Her speed figures have gone steadily upward over the course of her 11-start career. She finished second last out out at this N1X level, same distance and course.