Fifty-two runners remain in eight races Thursday at Santa Anita, as of 9:45 a.m. …

Race 1 – The season’s first maiden-claiming race for 2yos includes Shanghai Fantasy (2), the front-running favorite based on her debut at Keeneland. Curious, however, the filly’s most recent published work was way back on May 1. Irish Terrier (3) is by first-crop sire Boisterous, whose only starter won first out. Baby Frankie (5) has trained okay.

Race 2 – Field of five after the scratch of Tiz Love (1). Rocket Fuel (4) is the one to catch in this $10k claiming sprint. Small field, no value.

Race 3 – Runner-up three straight, Vegas Itch (3) should win this maiden-20 route as the 6-5 favorite. This is the 11th start of his career, and third as the favorite. Caveat emptor.

Race 4 – Morgan S. (1) and Smiling Angelo (2) are tough to separate in this Cal-bred sprint. Morgan S. makes his first start of the year, he runs fresh and worked in company with graded winner Om. Smiling Angelo won his debut by several. The 8-1 longshot Shades of Victory (6) has a look based on current form, recent works and a return to dirt. However, jockey Alonso Quinonez subs for off-his-mounts Tyler Baze.

Race 7 – Little Scotty (4) scratched from this N2X dirt mile to run Saturday in the Grade 1 Gold Cup; Vladimir Cerin’s second starter Clear the Mine (6) scratched with a minor setback. That leaves an evenly matched field of six. Anything goes.

Race 8 – Camps Bay (7) is the tepid choice in this maiden-40 turf sprint, a split of race 5. The problem with Camps Bay is that he has no speed whatsoever. But he can finish, and maybe that is enough.

First post Thursday is 12:30.