ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 6, ADENS DREAM

FIRST RACE

Santa Anita reopens, first post 12:30, nice to resume handicapping and betting familiar faces. SHE’S SO SPECIAL, a filly vs. boys, is relatively solid returning to her preferred sprint distance. She won on this course in January, she won this N1X condition in March and returns at the same class level while entered for the optional $80k claim tag. She has tactical speed, and a finishing kick. Notwithstanding gender, ‘SPECIAL is the one to beat. She must catch potential pacesetter PARTY TOWN, a recently gelded speedster dropping from a G2 sprint. ‘TOWN can do grass, recent works are sharp, and he probably will set the pace. DROP THE CHALUPA scored a sharp debut victory on dirt. He defeated odds-on American Code, the choice in the ninth race later on this card. The dam of ‘CHALUPA won on turf; progeny of Liam’s Map only so-so on turf: 10 percent wins. Mixed signals, but the gelding beat a good horse first time out and will be rolling late if he handles the footing.

SECOND RACE

Plenty of speed entered in this Cal-bred maiden50, the race could set up nicely for MISS RYLEIGH. Her last-to-second debut was promising; she did not complete the course next out when she tried a turf route. Off four months since, dropping in for a tag, she can sit, wait, and rally late for the win. Closers can win Santa Anita dirt sprints at five and one-half furlongs. Also-eligible AWESOME ALESSANDRA is a nine-start maiden, in the money six times and quick enough to press the pace outside in the clear. The best race of her career was the only other time she was ridden by Edwin Maldonado. If she draws in, the career maiden figures to be in contention gate to wire. SWEET HONOR showed speed in her debut last summer; she is likely to have improved since and drops in for a $50k tag for her comeback. FLYING BUSINESS adds speed, while TALIA makes her career debut for a stable that can win with first-time starters.

THIRD RACE

GALILEAN and TALE OF THE UNION top this entrylevel allowance sprint; both are qualified. GALILEAN is a three-time winner; his two stakes victories do not count against N1X eligibility because both were for California-breds. GALILEAN ran well in his February comeback in a N1X sprint similar to this. He broke slowly from the rail, rushed inside to duel, hung tough to deep stretch and missed by only a length. Good return, his first start since last spring. Working well since, with a comeback under his belt, he is more accomplished than his main rival. However, TALE OF THE UNION is arguably “faster” based on his only race. That was a 91-Beyer romp in his only start two summers ago at Del Mar. The horse he dusted by eight lengths (Stubbins) later won two stakes. TALE OF THE UNION has been in and out of training since that summer 2018 crusher; he looked good working six furlongs solo on May 7 (work viewed on XBTV.com). He will benefit from this prep race, but there is no doubt about his quality. He could win even if he needs the start. STRICTLY BIZ is fast, working well for his return, and will keep the pace honest. Upset candidate on the front end?

FOURTH RACE

Lots of contenders in this maiden-20 sprint, and raildrawn STICK UP certainly did not get the best of the draw. But the class-drop filly ran well from the rail in her most recent start in December, she is running at the bottom level for the first time, and her closing style suggests this longer distance (6f) is the right trip. Off the pace and into the winner’s circle. Maybe. KIRSCH TRUFFLE benefits by the shorter distance after showing speed and fading in a pair of two-turn races here prior to the suspension of racing. IT’S A RIDDLE is a nine-start maiden (including an 870-yarder at Los Al), and beaten favorite six of those. But she hit the board seven times, has more speed than either of the top two, and figures to be pressing the pace. POLAR ROUTE showed speed in her most recent start nearly three months ago. She drops to the bottom and will keep ‘RIDDLE company on the front end. First-time starter OUR BONNIE LASS is a new face with a decent enough work tab.

FIFTH RACE

Well-bred, lightly raced, highly regarded HOLLYWOOD GIRL can win first start back in this N1X turf mile. She won her career debut in stylish fashion last summer, then missed the break her next two starts and was sidelined. Produced by multiple graded winner Hollywood Story, therefore a sibling to top 3-yar-old Honor A.P., ‘GIRL can sit, wait and blast home. ARCTIC ROLL followed her highly rated claiming win on this course with a respectable runner-up finish at this N1X level. She will be in front of the top choice turning for home. GYPSY SPIRIT makes her U.S. debut for a productive trainer-jockey combo, and sharp European form. She won just one of 19, but raced in multiple stakes and acquitted herself well. Her trainer has won with similar Euro shippers. SAPPHIRE KID might want farther than a mile, but she has run well vs. similar allowance company.

SIXTH RACE

ADENS DREAM looks tough to beat at low odds in a $25k claiming sprint that is not loaded with speed. The seven-win gelding drew comfortably outside while dropping in class, and his front-running style should play well against a field of mostly late-runners. He can either make the lead, or press easy splits outside. Fastest in the field, looks like an even-money shot. OH MARVELOUS ME returns to preferred footing (dirt) after a pair of misfires on synthetic at Golden Gate. His four starts on this track in 2017 were ordinary, but those were routes and he clearly is best around one turn. ‘MARVELOUS ME will be rolling late. His stablemate TREASURE HUNTER is likely to improve second start back, he has enough speed to keep the top choice within range. BLACK STORM won four of his last 12 starts at odds ranging from 5-1 to 13-1. First off the claim, up in class, the in-form gelding is a candidate to outrun his odds again.

SEVENTH RACE

KAYLA’S COWGIRL and CIVIL SUIT are tough to separate in this maiden-20 split of the fourth race. ‘COWGIRL drops in for a tag for the first time, and switches to dirt for the first time. She faced decent company in special-weight races on synthetic and turf her first five starts, recent works over the Santa Anita dirt suggest she likes the surface. CIVIL SUIT also drops and switches surfaces. Her third-place debut two back was faster than anything the top choice has done. CSABA MOMMA makes her first start in California for a stable that has done well with acquisitions. Her form in Florida was bland, but she is eligible to improve out West. Debut runner-up CAUGHT IN A TRAPPE figures as a contender off her okay debut at this level two and a half months ago.

EIGHTH RACE

QUICK is ready to stretch out and win after betterthan-looked thirds her first two U.S. starts, both sprints. She broke slowly first start back; she was blocked though the lane second start back. The English import has won at a mile and a quarter, so this mile trip is fine. She has been begging for a route, all she needs is clear sailing. MUCHLY merely ran around the course and finished an ordinary sixth in her U.S. debut. That was a strange race, however. The fractions were wicked, yet the pacesetter won. Perhaps MUCHLY deserves another shot second start back. AVALON RIDE upset Cal-bred N1X rivals last out, which was her second longshot win on the Santa Anita turf. Progeny of Clubhouse Ride continue to offer pari-mutuel value; would not sell her short moving up in class to face open company.

NINTH RACE

Second-time starter AMERICAN CODE gets the call over stablemate first-time starter BIG MEL, while route-to-sprint LANE WAY is probably facing easier than he met in his first three starts. AMERICAN CODE was hammered to odds-on in his debut. He set the pace, entered the stretch in command, but raced greenly while initially reluctant to switch leads, and was worn down by a deep closer. Okay debut by AMERICAN CODE, who has an experience edge over stablemate BIG MEL. Those two worked six furlongs in company on May 10; ‘CODE broke off slightly in front and maintained the advantage to the wire. But it was a solid work for both, and the second straight bullet workout for BIG MEL. Close call between the two Bob Baffert trainees. LANE WAY faced good company finishing third in his first three starts. He chased subsequent G1 winners Nadal and Charlatan, and then finished third in a route won by next-out winner Shooters Shoot and Santa Anita Derby candidate Friar’s Road. The point is, LANE WAY ran okay against good competition. Back to one turn, look for him late.