California bettors Thursday will be interested in the Churchill Downs 20-cent pick six, which has a mandatory $385,132 payout. Post time for the opening leg of the Churchill Downs wager is 2:58 PDT (5:58 EDT). In the meantime, Santa Anita preview …

Race 1 – Average field size this meet on dirt: 7.23 starters per race. Average field first four races Thursday: 5.75.  Every entrant in this $6,250 claiming route exits the same race, third place Jill Madden (1) ran best after dueling. Easier pace scenario today.

Race 2 – Hottalabamba (5) has respectable speed figures, albeit in sprints. Chickatini (1) has route experience. This filly-mare MSW is one of five races Thursday at one mile.

Race 3 – Favorites this meet have won 44 percent of all dirt races, 58 percent of dirt routes. This five-runner claiming route is led by Winner’s Dream (3), back in five days.

Race 4 – Well Measured (3) is the one to beat in this $10k claiming sprint, restricted to non-winners the past four months. Not much depth to the first four races Thursday.

Race 5 – A turf sprint for Cal-bred fillies and mares includes top choice Dreamy Gal (5) and dubious All of a Sudden (8). On a card with limited overlay possibilities, Madame Mousse (4) is worth a long look. She likes the hill, drops in class and is 8-1.

(Key scratch race 5: All of a Sudden scratched.)

(Reminder: Post time for Churchill Downs race 3, first leg of pick six, is 2:58 PDT.)

Race 7 (Santa Anita) – It will be a surprise if Seau (6) starts at his morning line of 5-1 in this $35k claiming N3L route. Based on speed figures, Seau is a borderline standout. Expect his odds to drop.

Race 8 – Radish (1) is a 16-start maiden. Want to back her as the 3-1 favorite? Didn’t think so. Clearly Gone (8) is no champ, but she had a rocky trip last time and wil make just her fifth career start. Clearly Gone is listed at 7-2. That would be okay.

Santa Anita first post Thursday is 12:30. The card Friday at Santa Anita is more interesting than this.