Changes continue at the Great Race Place …

Race 1 – A new emphasis is maiden grass races – 34 of 103 turf races this meet were for maidens. In this Cal-bred maiden-50 turf mile, lumbering favorite Jersey’s Heat (2) is vulnerable. Lightly raced Famous Rock Star (4) might win. Maybe this race is a pass.

Race 2 – More starters on grass = fewer starters on dirt. Average field size on turf, 8.06; average field size dirt, 7.19. This claiming dirt route has six; Rprettyboyfloyd (6) is favored. Winner for $12.5k, claimed by David Jacobson, runs back for $8k. No value.

Race 3, 6 – Not long ago, Saturday programs were daylong quality. This card inclues two maiden-20s at five furlongs. Artistic Ab (6) is favored in race 3; Eddie Olcyzyk-owned Competing (2) is favored in race 6.

Race 4 – Six entered this starter allowance dirt route. Kona Coast (6) is favored off a maiden-50 win last out. No value.

Race 5 – The class structure at Santa Anita has changed. The lowest turf level is this $25k claiming route, non-winners of two. Looking At Thelake (1) is favored off his runner-up finish last out.

Race 7 – With top Cal-bred 3yo Heck Yeah on the sidelines (bone injury, will return), the $200k Snow Chief Stakes is a scamble. Take the One O One (1) is the “best” horse, but suspect at the distance. Hardboot (2), turf route stakes winner at Golden Gate, is the right play. The 3-1 closer is worth backing even if he drops to 5-2. Otherwise, no bet. This handicapper is intrigued by maiden Hit the Seam (5). Improving figures, but unproven at two turns, listed at 12-1 in a messy race, he is worth a shot.

A 50-cent trifecta strategy insists on Hardboot winning, and Hit the Seam hitting the board: 2 with 5 with “all” ($2.50); and 2 with “all” with 5 ($2.50). Total investment: $5.

Race 9 – Unique Bella (6) towers over the G1 Beholder Mile. She lost her chance at the break last time, runner-up in a G1 at Oaklawn. Since returning home, she has trained super, is comfortably drawn, and should win as the 3-5 favorite. Paradise Woods (5) recovered from a sore foot and also worked well; Vale Dori (5) needed her last start; she blew out three furlongs Friday morning in a bullet :35.80. She will show more speed. Unique Bella is odds-on. She “should” win.

Race 10 – Tina’s Exchange (8) can be long gone in this N1X turf sprint. He is 3-1, and a Daily Racing Form "best bet."

Two plays: Hardboot in race 7, with the trifecta; Tina’s Exchange in race 10.

First post is 12:30.