Handicapping notes and opinions, Sunday at Santa Anita …

Race 1 – Not an ounce of speed in this N1X for fillies and mares at nine furlongs on turf. The race could turn into a sprint for home. So, who is the best closer? Lynne’s Legacy (1) finished in :23.23, :29.08 and :23.16 her last three starts. Fast enough.

Race 3 – The main track returned to normal Saturday, there was very little late movement over a surface that was significantly faster than Friday. Bitte (6) should make the lead in this $6,250 claiming sprint. He must hold off closers Private Joke (5) and Go Ghetto (1). The latter is a must use at 8-1. Go Ghetto had a tough trip last time; his three previous start are good enough for this group.

Race 4 – Downhill specialist Classy Atlantic (7), the front-running favorite in this N3L claiming turf sprint, benefits from the speed-friendly course profile. Seven of the eight hillside sprints this meet were won by a horse positioned first or second. Vallestina (2) has enough speed to stay in contention; she gets the call to post an “upset” at 7-2.

Race 5 – If she runs her race, Anonymity (5) should win the G3 L.A. Woman for filly-mare sprinters. She did not run her race last time, when she wheeled back in two weeks and finished second at odds-on. Freshened, working well, drawn outside, Anonymity looks tough to beat at low odds. Trainer Richard Mandella snapped an uncharacteristic 32-race drought on Saturday.

Race 6 – Program favorite Lucky Student (1) is vulnerable in this sprint for $10k claiming fillies and mares. She is stuck on the rail, her Tom Brohamer pace figures are declining. Lucky Student is the best horse, and might win regardless, but 2-1 seems awfully short.

Cioppino Pasadino (7) is an appealing gamble at 8-1. Claimed from a lower-level win last out by Ed Freeman, she is 5 for 12 at Santa Anita and once better than these. A sharp front-runner moving up in class, Cioppino Pasadino is worth backing at 4-1 or higher.

Race 7 – Red Envelope (1) has speed, a turf pedigree and enters this downhill turf sprint for older Cal-bred maidens as one of the most reliable Sunday favorites assuming the downhill continues to favor speed.

Race 8 – Starring John Wain (6) adds blinkers, drops in class, is drawn outside his main rivals in this Cal-bred maiden-50 for 2yos. If he starts at his 4-1 program odds, that would be enough. Suspect he might get bet down.

Race 9 – Just Grazed Me (1) is the fastest, best filly in this N1X route, but Starr of Quality (2) won a highly rated Calbred N1X by more than seven lengths the last time she raced at Santa Anita. She is qualified to upset, recognizing that Just Grazed Me might simply be a better filly.

Race 10 – Want to back a front-running favorite over a closers-friendly (routes) turf course? Didn’t think so. Front-runner Fahan Mura (10) is 3-1 in this turf mile stakes. That would be an underlay. Way to Versailles (1) and Cordiality (9) will rally late.

First post Sunday, 12:30.