ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 7, A MELIS

FIRST RACE

Los Alamitos closing day, first post 1 p.m. Del Mar racing begins Friday, first post 2 p.m. U. S. DANGER figures to start at a short price in this maiden-20 sprint, based on his solid third a week ago. He dueled with two longshots, put away those rivals, opened up and got collared. That race was five furlongs, this is six, but from his outside post with only one main pace rival, ‘DANGER enters as a reasonable favorite. The 15-start maiden DOHENY BEACH probably is not good enough, and it might even be a reach to suggest he can hit the board. But he has earned decent speed figures, he will be outrun early and will be passing tired horses late. Outside post a benefit, expect him to at least outrun his likely high odds. STAY LEGENDARY is the aforementioned pace rival for the top choice. ‘LEGENDARY dueled and cracked a week ago in the same race; that was his first start since September. With a 10-pound weight break again, and a race under his belt, he could carry his speed farther.

SECOND RACE

C C THE BARTENDER returns from a six-month layoff as a potential standout in this $6,250 claiming sprint. The veteran is from the high-percent Northern California stable of Andy Mathis; it is an optimistic maneuver her connections employ the “no-claim” waiver. The mare is the best horse in the field based on figures and class last year, all systems go first start back. WINSINFASHION set the pace, tired and finished third in an okay effort nine days ago. Back at the same level, she will be a forward factor from the inside post. The knock is that outside posts typically are far more effective on this track at five and a half. PRIVATE KITTY upset lower-level claiming company early last month, and moves the ladder in sharp form. The bottom line is that if the top choice does not win, anything goes.

THIRD RACE

Back to back for Mathis? T BONES TRICK drops from special-weight to maiden-20, his speed figures tower over this small field, and he looks like a legitimate odds-on favorite that will be tough to beat. He is simply a faster, better horse than the others. Mathis won with his last six maiden-claiming favorites in Northern California. AGENT ZERO stretches to a mile