LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE

TOUCHE returns from a long layoff while entered for the no-claim waiver, which typically signals optimism. With blinkers on, the gelding is virtually certain to use his speed. The pace scenario of this sprint is murky, the comeback gelding might be the one to catch. FUN COUPONS, winless since his maiden-20 victory on this track last fall, returns to the claiming ranks with recent races that put him in the hunt.

FOURTH RACE

Lightly raced ALL can win this low-level restricted claiming sprint if she runs as well on dirt as synthetic. Three recent starts at Golden Gate produced two wins and a second, recent workouts on dirt at Sacramento suggest she can handle the surface switch. The rival ALL defeated last out returned to win her next start by more than four lengths. TRUTH PREVAILS enters with the highest recent speed figure, albeit at four and one-half furlongs. If she reproduces her 69 Beyer while stretching to five and a half, she will give the top choice all she can handle. She won at this distance, on this track, at this daytime configuration, in December. FAMILY TRIPS drops in class off an okay third-place comeback, while ALESHA also drops and shortens from a route to a sprint. She will rally late.

FIFTH RACE

The familiar faces in this Cal-bred maiden-claiming sprint for 2yos appear ordinary. It’s a good spot to take a shot with first-time starter THE COMRIE RULE. Slow workouts are typical for trainer Steve Miyadi, who is 4-for-18 with maiden-claiming firsters at LRC the past five years. Furthermore, he and jockey Abel Cedillo have combined to go 7-for-15 on this track since summer 2019. Miyadi also starts dropper IT’S SAUL RIGHT, whose two starts vs. Cal-bred MSW foes produced a low-rated second and a low-rated fourth. Easier company this time dropping in for a tag. DANZIGS STAR STORM also drops following two okay tries vs. special-weight maidens at GG. Her new trainer Brian Koriner has been on a roll, having won with 5 of his last 11 starters. SMOKEN AMELIA drops after a “stumbled badly” fifth last out vs. Cal-bred MSW foes. She benefits from an outside post and rider switch to Tyler Baze.

SIXTH RACE

QUICK FINISH, the only starter in this Cal-bred N1X sprint entered for the optional $20k claim tag, looks tough. His recent dirt figures top the field, he was claimed for $25k last out by Jonathan Wong, and meets a field with pace to run at. CLAYTON

DELANEY drops from open N1X to Cal-bred N1X for his third start back. He has been lighting up the Los Al track in morning works, he won a Calbred maiden race on this track two summers ago. Live contender on the distance cutback/class drop. STARSHIP CHEWBACCA returns from a short layoff, first off the claim, to a track on which he is one-for-one. Although he has speed and is stuck inside at three others with speed, ‘CHEWBACCA does not necessarily require the lead for his best. SHADY EMPIRE, STIR THE POT and CROSSKIRK all have speed. The race actually sets up for the top pair.

SEVENTH RACE

WORKDAY, a 2yo firster who is the first California starter sired by first-crop stallion Accelerate, has posted a series of sharp workouts over this racing surface for his career debut. Trainer John Sadler, who trained BC Classic winner Accelerate, won with 4 of 12 debut 2yos since last summer. Debut progeny of Accelerate are 1-for-9, but with top rider Juan Hernandez up, WORKDAY should come out firing. First-timer STRAIGHTEN UP also has worked fast at Los Al. Progeny of Straight Fire can run well first out, the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained colt is a sibling to stakes winners Kimberlea K and Stealthediamonds. ROYAL HALO is back with Calbred

company following a last-start misfire. His runner-up debut two back puts him in the hunt. CHICKNFINGERFRIDAY adds blinkers after an okay fourth-place debut.