The main track played unusually slow Thursday at Santa Anita, and a traditional pick six carryover of $47,274 is up for grabs Friday on races 3-8. Preview …

Race 1 – Lauren’s Ladd (6) wheels back seven days after winning on the same downhill course; his trainer has done well back-in-a-week. Wild Lando (7), the favorite, would be the first Empire Way-sired runner to win a turf race (17 starts). Downhill maiden winner Upo (1) fits perfect; trainer Peter Miller and jockey Flavien Prat have won with 11 of their last 26 turf starters. Bottom line: Lauren’s Ladd and Upo the ones to beat.

(Late change: Wild Lando is scratched.)

Race 3 – Doug O’Neill is closing in on the spring training title, he has a five-win cushion (30-25). He starts legit favorite General Mach Four (4), a downhill winner less than two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the trainer of second choice Twirling Tiger (3) is bogged in an uncharacteristic funk, 0-for-49 at Santa Anita since late March.

Race 4 – Can the favorite be trusted? No, because debut runner-up Parsimony (5) is not quick. On the other hand, 2yo favorites this meet are 9-for-17. Big push from perceptive workout analyst Andy Harrington regarding first-time starter Pirate’s Punch (2), while King of Speed (3) adds blinkers and is likely to improve second timeout. Fast-working first-timers Hartel (4) and Carotari (8) are worth "backup" consideration.

Race 6 – Tequila Sunrise (6), third in a Churchill Downs MSW that produced three next-out winners, can win this MSW turf mile if she handles grass. She was sired by Lemon Drop Kid, so the surface switch should be fine. Can you “single" a seven-start maiden? Might have to.

Race 7 – Vale Dori (1) is either a slam dunk or a bet-against in this $75k stakes. Can the Grade 1 winner be trusted? Not off misfires both comeback starts. The 8-1 longshot Mistressofthenight (2) should outrun her odds. She is better than her two recent starts suggest; she switches to Prat and will rally from the back as an appealing play at a price.

Race 8 – Wide-open N2X turf-sprint scramble. A Little Bit Me (3) is the pick, but this race is deep. It's an interesting pick six. Double carryover to Saturday?

(Late change: A Little Bit Me is scratched.)

First post time Friday is 12:30.