Handicapping considerations, Friday at Santa Anita …

Race 1 – The turf rails are at the outermost setting for the first time. Last winter, rails-at-30 made no difference on the downhill. Nine rails-at-30 turf sprints: 2 won by pacesetter favorites, 4 by horses positioned second or third, 3 won by closers. If stablemates What’sontheagenda (4) and Hollywood Square (2) stay out of each other’s way, they could make it a parade. Ice Kat (6) will roll late. Not much creativity in the opener.

Race 2 – Comeback mare Majestic Design (4) should be tough in this $8,000 claiming mile, at odds significantly lower than her 9-5 morning line. She is fastest in the field on numbers. As most everyone knows, high figures usually produce low odds.

Race 4 – This starter allowance turf mile is the middle leg of the Stronach 5, and last-start runner-up Take a Leap (8) is legit chalk. Is she a single? Maybe not. Foxtail (2) also finished second at this level last out, while dropper Drift Away (6) could get a good trip positioned second behind likely pacesetter Untouched Elegance (3). Rails-at-30 turf miles last winter: 20 races, 5 gate-to-wire winners, 6 winners positioned two-three, 9 from the middle or back.  Bottom line: rails-at-30 offered no meaningful advantage to any particular running style. With the rails out all the way, the course played fair.

Race 6 – No secret in this mile dirt race for maiden 3yos. Omaha Beach (6) will be tough to beat based on successive runner-up finishes on turf behind next-out stakes winners, and outstanding works on the main track. Omaha Beach is the 9-5 favorite, and the most probable winner on the card. Nolo Contesto (7) wants to run long; his fifth-place sprint debut was better than it looked.

Race 7 – Okinawa (3) is the speed of the speed in this N2X turf sprint, while Tonahutu (7) and A Little Bit Me (3) will rally late. Probably need to use all three.

Race 8 – What happened last out to Clyde’s Pride (7)? The pace was severe and he folded as the odds-on favorite in a similar Calbred N1X sprint. He is the most likely winner if he avoids a duel with comeback gelding Raul Rosas (8).

Race 9 – A cutback from two turns to a sprint benefits Calbred maiden Unusual Rider (9), who lost his punch three previous starts around two turns.

Bottom line: interesting Friday card, though wagering value appears minimal.

First post, 12:30.