ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 1, C. C. ZIPP

FIRST RACE

C. C. ZIPP drops in class and stretches to two turns in a small-field N3L claiming route that does not have much pace. The last time ‘ZIPP ran at Santa Anita she won a N2L sprint by more than nine lengths. The veteran mare should be tough to beat with a front-running/pace-pressing trip. ROAD TEST was in too tough last out on turf; she beat only one. But her N2L main-track route win two starts back puts her in the hunt. ‘TEST will grind from off the pace. The filly she beat by a neck two starts back has a shot here. That is MIDNIGHT LILLY, who followed her runner-up finish with a neck victory last out over a field that produced two next-out winners.

SECOND RACE

Veteran gelding FOREVER JUANITO drops to the lowest level of his career, $20k claiming, while returning to the downhill course on which he won the Desert Code Stakes way back in 2014. ‘JUANITO has a win and five seconds in 12 starts on the hill, all against tougher than he meets here. He has enough speed to stay within striking distance of the pacesetter and can wear them down late. ALLABOUTMIKE chased a fast pace three weeks ago, and faltered in the final furlong. Not a bad sixth-place finish by a gelding that is 2-for-6 on the hill. Second start back, probably with more zip than the top choice ,‘ MIKE is a threat with a front running/ pace-pressing trip. MO NY DON TSP EN ITSELF finished in front of‘ MIKE last out, a creditable fourth first start in two months. Previously based in the state of Washington, he did not finish close in four starts in Southern California. This might be his best chance yet. INDYGO BO returns from a one-year layoff as a first-time gelding. He once was good enough for this level.

THIRD RACE

Two turns will be new for ESKENFORADRINK, but if the 3yo maiden-claiming filly stays the trip she should be gone. Runner-up in back-to-back sprints at this level, she goes long as the controlling speed. Come catch her. PEACHY stretches back to two turns; the best race of her five-start career was her only route two back. On the other hand, the best two races of her career were two starts at Los Alamitos. Her form at Del Mar and Santa Anita is ordinary. Will not be too critical, however. She can get the distance; she should be finishing. The improving CHAPIS missed by only a neck last time at this class level and distance. She also is an off-the-pace threat.

FOURTH RACE

Class-drop front-runners NORWEGIAN and DIOSA could get in each other’s way early. Both have speed, both drop from MSW to maiden-30. Despite the pace scenario, the call is second-time starter NORWEGIAN. She flashed speed and tired first out, her trainer has won with four of his last five MSWto-MCL droppers. DIOSA also is quick and drawn closer to the outside. She could make things difficult on the top choice, unless blinkers-off allows DIOSA to ration her speed more efficiently. Her debut was solid, two subsequent starts not so much. If the top pair duel, the race could unfold in favor of DADDY’S MISTRESS or DISCO TALE. Neither is as quick as the top pair, both hit the board multiple times and will be grinding late.

FIFTH RACE

Four-time winner DOMINATING WOMAN makes her first start on the downhill turf course; the up-front running style she employs in routes suggests this six and one-half furlong distance is ideal. She won this N2X condition last out, but retains her eligibility because she won that race while running for the optional $62.5k claim tag. A fresh filly making just her third start of the season, DOMINATING WOMAN is solid. However, this is far from being a one-filly race. Lightly raced SWIRLING is proven on the hill (one win, one second); she finished onetwo all four career starts. She will rally from off the pace. SPIN ME A KISS was compromised by a bad trip last time finishing third by a length at this class level running five furlongs at Del Mar. She has won on the hill; the knock is she has lost this condition five times already. BEAU SQUARE will be running late, although six and a half is probably farther than she wants. Her kick is more effective at the shorter five-furlong trip at Del Mar.

SIXTH RACE

Seven-start maiden GIT ON YOUR PULPIT and 15-start maiden CAYATE look like the principals

in this Cal-bred maiden-50. The call is ‘PULPIT, runner-up last out at Los Al while finishing five lengths clear of third. He is a four-time runner-up with established form on the Santa Anita surface. CAYATE is a career maiden, but most starts have been vs. Calbred maiden-special weight company. Two starts at this Cal-bred maiden50 level produced two runner-up finishes. He may get there one of these days; this is his level. First-time starter SUNSET GREEN FLASH worked a bullet :58.80 two weeks ago, followed by an easy stamina-building six-furlong drill. A new face in a relatively weak race, ‘FLASH looks live first time out. BLESS HIS HEART, off slow two of his three starts, finished directly behind CAYATE last out.

SEVENTH RACE

WONDERFUL LIE, a two-time winner at this Calbred N1X/optional claiming level, runs back vs. similar following a win last out. She is entered for the optional $16k claim tag, as is her main rival. That is POWDER, who also has won this condition twice. She meets easier after a runner-up finish in a relatively fast $25k claiming starter allowance, and benefits by a rider switch to Drayden Van Dyke. TRIBAL DANCE is expected to contest the pace, first start since early August. Her stablemate JUDICIAL finished behind her in December, and improved both subsequent starts.

EIGHTH RACE

Although backing a first-time starter in a turf route is not typically a winning play, this turf mile for 2-year-old Calbred maiden fillies seems to have come up weak. It might be a good spot for DOC YCO CHEEKS, an Unusual Heat filly from a winning family. She is a full sibling to G2 winner Cheekaboo and allowance winner Cheekaboomboom; her workouts are okay and her rivals are modest. Trainer Peter Eurton pops once in a while with firsters in a route ($29 Pacific Wind in March 2017; $20.40 Backdoor Cover in November 2016). Taking a shot with ‘CHEEKS. First-time starter KOOKIE GAL debuts with workouts that are solid for the meet’s leading trainer Peter Miller. SHANGHAI BARBIE is racing into shape; she improved second out and now goes long for the first time. GOTTA BE LUCKY has speed and might be the one to catch.