Handicapping considerations Sunday at Santa Anita …

Race 1 – Off-pace runners have dominated turf sprints this meet including both with the rails at today’s 20-foot setting. The profile benefits route-to-sprint comebacker Waldorf (5) and back-in-nine-days Awesome Heights (8). They are the favorites; upset candidate Irish Goodbye (1) has won on the hill and shortens up. Close call, the pick is Waldorf.

Race 2 – The comebacker Hot Sean (2) has kept good company in morning works. According to National Turf workout analyst Andy Harrington, Hot Sean worked in company with Hoppertunity on Oct. 16; he worked in company with Mor Spirit on Oct. 7. Pretty sure Bob Baffert has Hot Sean ready to fire in this N2X sprint, his first start of the year. The program favorite is high-figure entrant Edwards Going Left (5).

Race 3 – Just a Smidge (4) or favorite Chatty (1)? Five entered the $70k Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Chatty drew the rail, and therefore is likely to set the pace. The challenge? Only one of 24 sprints this meet at six furlongs was won in gate-to-wire fashion.

Race 4 – Runner-up last out, Kencumin (7) is the one to beat in this N1X turf mile for 3-year-olds. Lightly raced Hootie (3) has upset potential second start of the season, while 12-1 longshot Swinging Star (8) is first-time Corey Nakatani. On turf, that means a lot. Nakatani is 7-for-23 on grass this fall.

Race 5 – Hailey Rachele (6) is a 5-year-old maiden that is favored in this sprint for Cal-bred maiden fillies and mares. Want a live longshot? Lucky Hand (3) ran better than the line looks in her recent comeback. She is 8-1. This weak race is ripe for chaos.

Race 8 – Lovely Anzi (8) ran wild in his first start since transferring to trainer Richard Baltas. If he runs two alike, he might crush this Cal-bred N1X turf mile. Lovely Anzi is listed at 7-2, but looks more like 2-1 or less.

Race 9 – The racing week ends with a maiden-20 sprint; Orejas (6) and Inhibition (5) are the two favorites. For price potential, Close to Midnight (10) should improve second start back. He is listed at 8-1.

First post Sunday is 12:30.