ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 2, SUMMERTIME MISCHIEF

FIRST RACE

This $25k claiming sprint is scheduled for the downhill turf course. Either way (turf or dirt), FOREST BLUE is the one to catch. The sharp gelding won three straight while climbing up the ladder; he was claimed from a highly rated $20k claiming win last out that was flattered when runner-up Kristi’s Copilot returned to win by more than five while earning a 90-plus Beyer. FOREST BLUE has run well on turf, and will take the field as far as he can. MALKO is a legit threat from the back of the field. Claimed last out by a trainer (Vladimir Cerin) having a big meet, the gelding shortens to a sprint and switches riders. If this race unfolds at the expected quick tempo, MALKO will have every chance to win with his late rally. UNUSUAL FLEET wheels back eight days after an improved effort second start back. Quick turnarounds are not typical from this stable, ‘FLEET must be doing well. He won a similar race on this downhill course in fall. ZURI CHOP will be closing late at a price. ZINVOR has speed, and could compromise the top choice.

SECOND RACE

SUMMERTIME MISCHIEF returns to circumstances (maiden-20 sprint) of her career-best effort. The nine-start maiden faded in a route last time, but her runner-up last month in a similar race would be plenty fast enough. On paper, she is the most probable winner on the card. RIGHTEOUS DIXIE was squeezed at the break last out, yet managed to finish third. She hit the board all three starts. CANNED HEATS has gas, this is her second start back from a layoff. RECONCILING broke slowly in her comeback. She gets a beneficial rider switch. MISS NAPPER TANDY missed by a half-length last out in a career-best effort.

THIRD RACE

SHEZA FIRST SAMURAI drops to maiden-50 after three tries vs. special-weight fillies. She disappointed last out, but her runner-up finish two back would be good enough. She is trained by Steve Miyadi, who also entered SHE’S LUCKY THAT WAY. The latter finished an okay second in her debut last month vs. open maiden-40s; she entered a maiden-30 on Thursday but scratched for this higher level. The top-figure filly in the field, she is stuck on the rail. That could be problematic; she did not produce much gate speed in her debut. AMARANTA debuts with a steady workout pattern for trainer-owner John Sadler, whose five-year record with maiden-claiming first-time starters is a super 11-for-38. AMARANTA is a sibling to stakes winner Miles Rules, and 11-for-46 veteran Tribal Jewel. She looks “live” first out.

FOURTH RACE

Multi-surface specialist POSHSKY, claimed for $40k from an off-turf win on “wet fast” dirt, returns to turf and gets a favorable pace scenario for his closing rally. The nine-time winner is in sharp form, his recent class and speed figures are appropriate for this $50k claiming level. FRITZ JOHANSEN misfired behind the top choice on the main track two back, then finished an improved third when he returned to grass. The gelding is 3-for-7 on turf at Santa Anita; his stable is winning at nearly 30 percent this meet. HOBBITS HERO wheels back in 16 days after doing everything but win last out. He set a fast pace over a course that was not fast, and then got worn down in deep stretch. Good effort by the 10-for-16 pro, who will take them as far as he can. He could be pressured, however, by stretch-out AMERICAN LEAGUE.

FIFTH RACE

VENEZUELAN GOLD was over her head last out in a N1X; her starter-starter/optional win two back would be plenty fast enough. From her outside draw, she should get a trip similar to her winning trip two back. BUY ME A DRINK was no match for the top choice when they met last month, but the runner-up finish was a good comeback nonetheless for ‘DRINK. She is quick, and will be positioned in front of the top choice early. ‘DRINK could be long gone second start back. CIOPPINO PASADINO is an honest 3-for-11 pro that will be

within striking range.

SIXTH RACE

SCANDAL had been off nearly a year and a half when she returned with a sharp runner-up finish in a downhill sprint. The 5yo maiden “won” at this mile and one-eighth distance here in 2015 but was disqualified for interference. All seven turf starts were good. GOSEECAL is an eight-start maiden in respectable current form. She stretches out from a one-mile race, and will be among the early leaders. This distance lately has been kind to forwardly placed runners. Lightly raced BEE SWEET makes just her third career start, and second start back from a layoff. She finished a decent fifth in her comeback and has a right to improve. LUCKY TERODA will roll from behind at a big price.

SEVENTH RACE

WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA was sidelined after two sharp efforts at Del Mar last summer as a 2-yearold. He finished second and third, he attended a strong pace both starts. Comeback works for trainer Doug O’Neill look fast, the colt is quick. If he breaks running from the rail he can lead gate to wire. LOOKIE LOO and ZAP AGAIN are Bob Bafferttrained first-time starters. LOOKIE LOO debuts with a bullet 5f workout eight days ago; ZIP AGAIN worked a bullet half-mile one week ago. DREAMS OF VALOR is hails from a win-early stable, while RED LIGHTNING has been working well at San Luis Rey Downs. THE PARTY FACTOR might be ranked too low; he finished a creditable second last out in a solid comeback.

EIGHTH RACE

Runner-up twice on the comeback trail, ALDRIN is the call to take this N1X field wire to wire. The colt he finished second behind last out returned to win a N2X; the rival he finished second behind two back returned to finish second with trouble in a N2X. The speed of the field, ALDRIN could be long gone. GIANT INFLUENCE scored a daylight maiden sprint win in his comeback, which was his first as a gelding. Not sure how far he wants to run (his dam was a sprinter), but he should get a cozy trip positioned second behind the top choice. If that one falters, GIANT INFLUENCE would e first to attack. CURLIN ROAD ran an improved effort first start since changing trainers; he will be running late.

NINTH RACE

The horse to beat in this G2 marathon is veteran ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR, a 9-for-20 gelding that won this stake two years ago and maintained peak form at age 6. Last out, ‘ASHLEY wore down stubborn G1 winner What a View, who returned to finish second in another G1. It has been two months since ‘ASHLEY raced, he runs well with time between starts, and is proven at this marathon distance. Good pro at the top of his game, he wins more than his share. ITS IN THE POST wins fewer than his share (3-for-23), but he also appears to be in career-best form. Runner-up three straight including back-to-back graded races, this mile and one-half race is his first try beyond a mile and a quarter. This race is likely to unfold at soft tempo; ITS IN THE POST will be setting or pressing slow fractions. INORDINATE looms the upset candidate. He finished a solid second in his N2X comeback, his first start in six months and first for this stable. With a race under his belt, blinkers on, an inside post and speed to be forwardly placed saving ground, INORDINATE has an upset chance. Not the most likely winner, but possibly the most appealing gamble. TEXAS RYANO is good enough when he fires, but he is inconsistent. FLAMBOYANT has run races that are good enough, though he has been repeatedly defeated by others in this field.