ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 6, HERO FOR HIRE

FIRST RACE

First post, 1 p.m. The bottom level for maidenclaiming 3-year-olds was lowered to $20k; this is the first such race for fillies. IMMINENT and MERITOCRACY look best of a weak lot. IMMINENT hit the board three straight Cal-bred maiden-claiming races, she is quick enough to establish position despite the disadvantageous rail (into Thursday, rail 2-for-53 dirt sprints). MERITOCRACY finished a length behind the top choice two back, then improved slightly with an okay runner-up finish here three weeks ago. She will be grinding away late. This race might be a good spot for a new face, including a pair of interesting first-time starters in NOISE MANDATE and MISS LADY ANN. A couple of okay recent gate works by NOISE MANDATE suggest she has some ability; she is the first foal from a 10-for-33 mare. MISS LADY ANN debuts with slow works, but this stable occasionally pops with longshot first-timers (2015 debut winner Mac Daddy Mac paid $41.80; 2014 debut winner Natalie Paige paid $40.40).

SECOND RACE

IMPERIAL CREED returns to the surface on which she won a maiden-claiming route by more than six lengths in October. Her subsequent third against winners at Del Mar was okay after a slow start; she returns to her preferred track and can reel them in from the back of the pack. Rain is forecast, she is bred for a wet track (by Jimmy Creed, dam by Curlin). VEGAS STRONG BABY finished in front of the top choice last out in her first route. She may have benefitted from the slow pace; the fractions could be quicker in this field because four entrants are stretching out from sprints. DIVINE DHARMA had tough trips both recent, but three back at Santa Anita she won a maiden-30 by more than 15 lengths. Expect her to be forwardly placed. DISCREET DIVA stretches back to two turns following an okay fourth after stumbling at the break.

THIRD RACE

WHATA FLIRT missed by a nose seven days ago; she wheels back as the choice in this maiden-20 for fillies and mares. She ran well finishing second

on a wet track during fall. The knock on ‘FLIRT is she is a 10-start maiden, with four runner-up finishes her last six starts. WEATHER MARKET returns to the class level at which she was claimed four starts back. Although her best races have been on turf, she ran okay in her career debut on dirt way back in fall 2017. VENICE has speed, and is proven over a wet track. She benefits by the cutback from seven furlongs to five and a half.

FOURTH RACE

This maiden special-weight for older is scheduled for a mile on turf. SELLWOOD, beaten favorite four straight including photo-finish losses both recent, is the one to beat. His last two starts were the best of his career; he ran fast enough to win both. Blinkers off. First-time starter THE DADDY FACTOR makes his long-awaited debut for Ruis Racing. Always well-regarded; the gelding’s workouts suggest he is ready to fire first time out, even at two turns. CAJUN TREASURE showed ability three starts last spring: a pair of close fourths sandwiched around a runner-up finish. This is his first start in more than seven months, however. He might need a prep. BIG BUZZ, a nine-start maiden that is a full sibling to Big Score (Sunday allowance winner) and a half-sibling to Mucho Unusual (Thursday allowance favorite), returns as a firsttime gelding while adding blinkers.

FIFTH RACE

Trainer Peter Miller is 6-for-11 first-off-theclaim since October; LI’L GRAZEN can add to the total. Her recent form in $16k claiming races is decent, the class hike from claiming to Cal-bred N1X is negligible. TORENO is a speedster previously based at Turf Paradise, where she won her first three starts in runaway fashion before she misfired last out. She shows up in a state-bred N1X for her local debut. Win or lose, she will keep the pace honest. WE WILL RE JOYCE is a 9-for-25 pro with the same angle (Miller f.o.c.) as the top choice. ‘RE JOYCE gets in light with the apprentice rider, she will be positioned in front of her stablemate, and she is proven on a wet track. She will keep TORENO honest up front. SHYLOCK EDDIE had a tough trip finishing second last month at Los Alamitos. Look for her late.