The card Friday at Santa Anita was overshadowed by a whips-off/whips-on stunt that was resolved midweek. Jockeys will carry whips Friday, and use them as necessary for steering and/or encouragement.

“We feel the riding crop is an essential tool, used the right way,” former rider and Jockeys’ Guild representative Darrell Haire said this week. Many agree. With the whip shenanigans tabled for now, on to Friday. Compared to the small fields Saturday and Sunday (six starters or less, 13 of 17 races), Friday's card is a virtual blockbuster. Preview …

Race 1 – Pass, just don’t trust class-drop favorite Appolina (6).

Race 2 – Cayate (5) looks tough under comeback jockey Martin Garcia, who was sidelined four months before returning March 29. Garcia is seeking his first 2019 win. Cayate gives the rider his best shot based on his recent runner-up finish at this N2L claiming level. Take the short price, or pass.

Race 3 – Silken Spy (3) beat a suspect field at Turf Paradise, but competition was not the only reason she improved. She was suffering from a liver disorder that was remedied, shipped to TuP while Santa Anita racing was suspended, and picked up a confidence-building victory. The favorite can win again, though value is minimal in a five-horse field.

Race 4 – Pass. Tough to trust front-runner Implicitly (9) or late-runner Liberty Park (4).

Race 5 (Stronach 5 final leg) – Program favorite Honeyfromthesouth (4) had an excuse for her odds-on defeat last out, according to trainer Bob Baffert. The maiden front-runner fell apart the final furlong, and finished third while racing over a slow, tiring surface.

“She’s really heavy, and when she came back, she was exhausted,” Baffert said. He trained her lightly in March, she did not work from Feb. 28 to March 18. “I’d rather just run them into shape,” he said. As for the jockey switch to Garcia, Baffert said Honeyfromthesouth was a late entry to the maiden race, and her previous riders were committed elsewhere.

Second-start longshot Thought I’dmissyou (2) merits consideration despite finishing last of five in her debut. “Throw out the first race,” trainer Eric Kruljac said.

Kruljac said that the filly did not break cleanly, and when jockey Geovanni Franco felt she was not travelling well, he wrapped up. Since then, Thought I’dmissyou has worked exceptionally well. “I really like that filly, in the mornings anyway,” Kruljac said.

Race 6 – North County Guy (5) had an impossible trip finishing seventh as the favorite last out. He broke slow, was three-, four- and five-wide every step. With better racing luck in this starter allowance turf mile, he should be tough. Although he is the program favorite, 7-2 is a betting number.

Race 7 – Trainer Ben Cecil would welcome a comeback victory by Wandering Patrol (1), first start since last May when she finished third as the odds-on favorite in a similar Cal-bred allowance. “She came back and we found a small line (beginning of a fracture) on one of her knees, that’s why she’s been off.” Cecil said, “she was ready to run three weeks ago” and added “she is pretty quick.” Wandering Patrol is well-meant for Cecil, who is 50. Tapitha Bonita is the favorite, breaking from the outside post with speed to press.

Race 8 – This special-weight turf mile for fillies and mares includes another price play. Sunriser (4) stretches out from a comeback fifth in a downhill turf sprint. According to jockey Tyler Baze, she lost her action at the right-hand turn. Baze believes she will benefit stretching to two turns. Sunriser is 12-1, with an upset chance against tepid selection Scattering Mink (4) and program favorite Playa Chica (1).

Keys: Cayate, race 2; Honeyfromthesouth and Thought I’dmissyou, race 5; North County Guy, race 6; Wandering Patrol and Tapitha Bonita, race 7; Sunriser, race 8.

First post Friday, 1 p.m.