Eclectic mix makes interesting Thursday card

ARCADIA, Calif. – Closing week at Santa Anita means Del Mar and the Breeders’ Cup are right around the corner. But four racing days still remain at Santa Anita, including an eclectic race mix Thursday.

The eight-race card includes grass races for 2-year-olds of kinds rarely scheduled: a California-bred maiden sprint on the hill in race 3, and a $100,000 maiden-claiming turf mile in race 8.

Also, Thursday marks the return of a claiming level that Santa Anita added to its program early this year. The bottom claiming level was lowered from $8,000 to $6,250 during winter. The $6,250 returns in race 4 for fillies and mares.

Based on quality, a second-level allowance-optional $62,500 claiming turf sprint tops the card. Anatolian Heat seeks his third straight, and second on the hill, in race 6. His rivals include also-eligible Coastline, Home Run Kitten, and comebacker Law Abidin Citizen.

Race 3

The most recent maiden sprint for California-bred 2-year-olds, a dirt race Oct. 1, had only six runners. With a switch to grass Thursday, the race attracted 14 entrants, including the 2-3-4 finishers from the dirt race.

Raven Creek is expected to start favored following his runner-up finish, but the surface switch benefits Gringo Star most. Although he finished a distant fourth behind Raven Creek last out, he could move up on grass. Sired by Good Journey, his dam was turf stakes winner Centerofattention, who later produced turf stakes winner Best Present Ever.

Race 4

Although it is a relatively small sample from the winter-spring meet, $6,250 claiming races for fillies and mares tend to run to form. Four of the seven races at the class level in winter and spring were won by favorites that returned $4.40 or less.

Forthenineteen is the likely favorite Thursday. She figures for a pressing trip behind likely pacesetter Pam’s Joy. Leading rider Evin Roman rides Forthenineteen.

Race 6

Anatolian Heat is the sharpest horse in this turf sprint. Since returning from a five-month layoff, he scored decisive turf-sprint victories at Del Mar and Santa Anita. His most recent start was a 2 1/4-length victory in a first-level allowance.

The field includes two veteran stakes winners. Coastline, a stakes winner on the hill in 2016, drops from a fifth-place finish in a Grade 3. Home Run Kitten, a Grade 3 winner on the downhill three years ago, is also in for the $62,500 claim tag.

Race 8

Falcone, runner-up in a special-weight turf route last out at Golden Gate, looks like a tepid selection in this $100,000 maiden-claiming turf route. Charlie Cowden and Charming Gent also are entered.