Handicapping and wagering considerations, Friday at Santa Anita …

Race 1 – What do you do with a program favorite off more than a year? If he is Formal Dude (4) in this maiden-claiming turf mile, you must consider him a contender based on ability last year and solid works this year. But Formal Dude is no cinch. Trainer Phil D’Amato is 2-for-22 the past five years with comebackers off a year-plus. The choice is second-start maiden Springs Eternal (7), who ran the final quarter-mile of his debut in a smart :23.92. Trainer Neil Drysdale is 7-for-29 with second-start maidens long on turf.

Race 2 – Six-horse field, minimal value, Bay Area (5) preferred. This $10k claiming mile is restricted to non-winners this year; Bay Area’s win for $8k claiming two back is not considered for eligibility purposes. Trainer stat: Genaro Vallejo 9-for-30 first start off the claim in SoCal the past year and a half. Program favorite Comes the Dream (6) drops in class with the top figures and a jockey who is 0-for-94 since December.

Race 3 – The meet’s first 2-year-old race includes Doug O’Neill-trained one-two favorites Vegan (4) and Cheap Cheap Cheap (5). Roses for Laura (1) is well-meant for trainer Gary Sherlock. Daily Racing Form Friday advance: https://bit.ly/2VwmXAr

Race 4 – Six-horse field, minimal value, program favorite Persephone (2) will be tough if she reproduces her maiden-50 win at this same mile turf distance.

Race 5 – Six-horse field likely to become a five-horse field after scratches. Three favorites in this $35k claiming dirt mile are virtually inseparable; Cabin John (2), Treasure Hunter (3) and Arch Prince (5).

Race 6 – Lostintranzlation (8) is chalk in this turf mile for statebred fillies and mares. She drops following a super runner-up comeback against males. However, two price plays lurk. Drop the Mic (2) finished willingly and galloped out with run past the wire in her comeback. She is listed at an appealing 8-1. The recent third-place comeback by Sedamar (6) also was solid. She is 6-1. Bet them both?

Course-profile note: The running style of turf-mile winners changed after racing resumed in late March. With the rails down, or at today’s 10-foot setting, just 3 of 18 turf miles were won the pacesetter. With the rails at 20 or 30 feet (next week at the earliest) 11 of 24 turf miles were won by the pacesetter. Significant? Maybe. Lostintranzlation set the pace and finished second in a rails-at-20 turf mile that was dominated by the two front-runners. It's a different configuration today with the rails at 10.

Race 7 – Five-horse field topped by Uno Trouble Maker (4), whose recent romp would be tough to beat in this $20k claiming starter allowance. When Bill Spawr-trained fillies and mares get sharp, they stay sharp.

Race 8 – This five-furlong turf sprint, N1X for 3yos, is a scramble. Program favorite My Mandate (7) returns to his preferred sprint distance as the one to beat, but a pair of 15-1 longshots offer appeal. Carnivorous (3), full sibling to race-3 favorite Vegan, worked well since her comeback and is bred for turf. Unbridled’s Skye (9) returns to his preferred sprint distance and will roll late in a race with plenty of speed. Bet them both?

Price plays: Drop the Mic (2) and Sedamar (6) in race 6, Carnivorous (3) and Unbridled’s Skye (9) in race 8.

First post Friday, 1 p.m.