Preview of the Saturday card at Santa Anita …

Race 1 – Midnight Swinger (5), favored at 6-5, looks tough to beat in this turf mile for $25k claiming fillies and mares, non-winners two. She ran well recently vs. better; her stable is rolling. Take the short price, or pass the race.

Race 2 – What’s wrong with this picture? Tribal Jewel (1) was claimed for $16k in late November, shows only two piddly works since, and returns for $8k. He could win at 3-1, but can he be trusted? Perhaps not. This dirt route looks like a “spread” race.

Race 3 – This maiden-20 sprint for older has depth. Psychedelicat (8) is favored off back-to-back thirds at the level, Is Trevor Clever (3) and Mr. Matlock (5) benefit by a return to a sprint. Spent It (4) will rally late. At least four logical contenders.

Race 4 – Maiden 3yos go a mile and one eighth on turf. Rancor (12) could win setting the pace as the program favorite; improving Paved (1) should relish the added distance. Have to use both.

Race 5 – McKinzie (6) is odds-on in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes, but stablemate Mourinho (4) is interesting at 4-1. The stakes-placed sprinter adds blinkers for his first route, and is a threat up front if he avoids a duel with stretch-out All Out Blitz (3) to his inside. Mourinho is worth backing at 4-1.

(Late change race 5: Mourinho scratched per Santa Anita publicity.)

Race 7 – Itsinthepost (8) or Isotherm (6) in the Grade 3 San Gabriel Stakes? Itsinthepost trained super for Jeff Mullins for his first start since he finished seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Turf; Isotherm returns from a 10-month layoff with solid workouts for new trainer Phil D’Amato. Ten entered the mile and one-eighth turf race. Coin flip between two good ones, must use favorite Itsinthepost and second favorite Isotherm.

Race 9 – Instant Reflex (10) only needs a clean takeoff to win this turf sprint for N1X fillies and mares. The 3-1 favorite is the most probable winner on the card.

First post Saturday is 12:30, last race scheduled post 4:30, Rams-Falcons kickoff 5:15.