Short takes, Saturday at Santa Anita …

Race 1 – Turf rails down, which is fine for front-runner Candy Swirls (1). Five of the last eight rails-at-zero turf miles were won by the pacesetter. Candy Swirls is 3-1. Good enough.

Race 2 – Five-horse field, top choice Jack’s a Diva (3).

Race 4 – Jamming Eddy (2) is favored based on a recent runner-up finish, but this maiden turf mile is a “spread.” Desmond Doss (3) worked well since his debut; No Parking Here (5) adds blinkers and should show more speed; comebacker My Journey (6) is ready. According to National Turf workout analyst Andy Harrington, My Journey worked in company with subsequent graded winner Lady Prancealot on May 25 at San Luis Rey. Harrington wrote: “Very strong move … looking stronger inside Lady Prancealot.”

Race 5 – Convince (2) looks tough to beat at low odds in this $30k claiming N2L sprint. She could go lower than her 9-5 morning line. Standout, it seems.

Race 6 – Not sure if Don’t Sell (5) is good enough for open N1X turf sprinters, but the 5-1 shot looked good dusting statebreds last out and figures for a nice trip pressing the pace in the clear. Martin Garcia is riding in top form. He is circuit’s second-leading rider the past three weeks.

Belmont Stakes simulcast (3:37 PT) – Tacitus (10) is top choice; wagering strategy will be centered on getting longshots Spinoff (6) and Intrepid Heart (8) into the exacta. That includes a backup play using those two with Preakness winner War of Will (9).

Race 8 – Factorial (3) is the speed of this N1X turf mile. Must-use at 4-1. Overdue (8) is a legit favorite, he ran super finishing second last out vs. similar. A live longshot second start back is 15-1 shot Hootie (6). Big work this week per Harrington.

Race 10 – Formal Dude (5) legit favorite on the class drop, Drink (9) is the speed in this maiden-30 mile.

Santa Anita first post, 12 noon.