ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 8, MADMAN

FIRST RACE

RAUL ROSAS is the speed of the field, drawn inside, and the choice to lead these Cal-bred allowance turf sprinters gate to wire. He set a fast pace wiring a restricted claiming field on this course two back, reproduced his form winning an 870-yarder at Los Al, and has worked fast since. Come catch him. PREACHING TRAINER, runner-up by a nose at this class level, course, and distance last out, figures for a cozy trip positioned right behind the pacesetter. If the leader falters, ‘TRAINER could get first run. BENCH JUDGE might be ranked too low by this handicapper. His debut was outstanding. He broke slowly to trail the field, uncorked a solid move weaving through traffic on the turn, raced greenly in the lane, then blew past the field to win going away. He is a good one, and will be better when he learns how to run. A MAN’S MAN scored a sharp front-running maiden win last out on this course, although he faces more heat this time.

SECOND RACE

EASY GRADER has been gone a long time, 16 months, but the allowance-caliber mare is training as if she can fire first start back in this $12.5k claiming sprint. Her May 6 training-track work (viewed on XBTV.com) was particularly impressive. The 7yo mare was full of run throughout the drill, and finished as if she still has competitive desire. Expect her to fire first start back. MADAME BARBARIAN, also a 7yo, has won 10 races including a relatively fast $10k claiming sprint two back at Oaklawn Park that makes her a fit in her California debut. INCREDIBLY LUCKY tailed off in winter, but her autumn form on this track puts her in the hunt. RUBY BRADLEY is a stakes-winning gray dropping to a new low claiming level. Her full brother makes his career debut as the horse to beat in the ninth race. MIKA THE MISTRESS might be ranked too low by this handicapper. She is quick enough to make the lead; her and A FILLY CAN DREAM are the only two front-runners. Bottom line: this race is wide open.

THIRD RACE

A small field entered this starter allowance/ optional claiming sprint for 3yos, Golden Gate shipper FOREIGN PROTOCOL merits horse-to-beat status. He faced good company in Northern California; his synthetic-surface speed figures top the field. ‘PROTOCOL is a first-time gelding, and the only three-time winner in the lineup. Should be tough if he reproduces his synthetic form on dirt. BRICKYARD RIDE is speed. His third-place effort last out as the odds-on favorite in a similar race was actually not bad considering the blazing fractions he set. Win or lose, the front-runner looks like the one they all must catch. ARC NATION is back doing what he does best, which is sprint. He has enough speed to keep BRICKYARD RIDE in his sights, and would be among the first to pounce if the front-runner falters.

FOURTH RACE

This turf route for maiden fillies and mares is a scramble. The tepid call is eight-start maiden DIPPING IN. She finished in the money her last three starts, with solid finishes both recent routes (:23.25 and :23.73 final quarters). JOURNAL ENTRY also is an eight-start maiden, making her second start back following a long layoff. Layoff runners from this stable can improve following a prep race. First-time starter WIND AND HOPE is a Tapit filly making her debut with apparently modest works. Chances are, she needs one. But she is new face in a messy race, and this stable pops occasionally with two-turn firsters (2-for-28 past five years, flat-bet profit). Also-eligible BRISTOL BAYOU improved each successive start prior to the interruption, she might like two turns. NURSE GOODBODY finished well in her sprint debut; she is bred to run long and might be ranked too low by this handicapper.