ARCADIA, Calif. – Even though Santa Anita now runs nearly half its races on grass, one category unaffected by the gradual transition from dirt to turf has been springtime sprints for maiden 2-year-olds. That changes Friday in the first race when the track holds its first-ever springtime turf sprint for 2-year-olds. The five-furlong maiden race typifies the evolution of the Santa Anita winter-spring program – from mostly dirt to a virtual 50-50 split between dirt and turf. Only a decade ago, Santa Anita winter-spring racing was 70 percent dirt and 30 percent turf. This season, dirt races declined to less than 53 percent while turf races accounted for 47 percent (338 dirt races, 304 on turf). Three of four turf races Friday are sprints. Beyond the maiden race, the seventh race is an entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds in which maiden winner Harbored Memories could start favored over first-time gelding Gator Shining and stakes-placed comebacker Wyfire. The question in the Friday opener – baseball or hockey? A pair of second-time starters named for professional athletes are entered. Bet On Mookie, named for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, is expected to start favored. Mackinnon, named for Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, may improve off his debut. :: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Santa Anita Clocker Report Peter Miller trains Bet On Mookie, whose owner Gary Barber often names horses after Los Angeles athletes. While 3-year-old Superman Shaq gears up for a summer comeback, Bet On Mookie will try to build on his promising runner-up debut on dirt. Bet On Mookie pressed the pace, put away favorite Ikigai, and got worn down. It was a creditable runner-up performance. “I liked it as well,” Miller said. “He got a little tired the last part, which they are prone to do training here [at San Luis Rey Downs] and running on the quicksand.” Miller expects Bet On Mookie to improve on a Santa Anita turf course considered fast relative to the slow main track. Trainer statistics further suggest improvement. Miller’s five-year win rate with juvenile second-start maidens is an impressive 26 percent, higher than Mookie Betts’ disappointing .256 batting average as of midweek. Bet On Mookie, by Uncaptured, has never so much as worked on turf. “He’s out of a War Front mare, so he’s got some turf in his pedigree. I’m thinking he’ll handle the grass just fine,” Miller said. Bet On Mookie is no slam dunk. “My other horse is pretty nice, too,” Miller said, referring to Barber-owned first-time starter Flash of Genius. “He’s another OBS horse that should take to the grass. He’s shown quite a bit of speed in the mornings,” Miller said. Both colts breezed on a synthetic surface in Florida before they were purchased at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales in March. Abel Cedillo rode Bet On Mookie first out, but he rides Flash of Genius on Friday. Flavien Prat will ride Bet On Mookie. As for Mackinnon, owned by Avalanche player Erik Johnson, he finished a lackluster fourth in his debut. But with a turfy pedigree – by American Pharoah and produced by a Scat Daddy mare – the second-start maiden may improve for trainer Doug O’Neill. The maiden field also includes Luis Mendez-trained Olympic Legend, a Street Boss colt who has worked well, and Brian Koriner-trained first-timer Runningoutoflove. The featured seventh race, 6 1/2 furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds, is led by Harbored Memories. After finishing second behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Rock Your World and subsequent graded-placed Dream Shake, Harbored Memories cut back to a turf sprint and scored a solid maiden win last out. His chance to win the Friday allowance may depend on his pre-race behavior. “He’s had a propensity to spend himself a little before he runs,” trainer Mike Puype acknowledged. “Not bad, and he is getting better.” If he runs well Friday at 6 1/2, Harbored Memories will be considered for the one-mile Oceanside Stakes on July 16, opening day at Del Mar. Jose Valdivia rides. Gator Shining is another race-7 contender whose attitude needed adjustment. Though he finished in the money in a pair of allowance turf sprints similar to Friday’s race, trainer Richard Baltas had him gelded after his most recent start, a fifth-place finish in a mile turf stakes. “He was getting hot, and I don’t think he tried last time,” Baltas said. “He was really thick in the neck, getting hot in the mornings and the afternoons, and looked like a horse that needed to be gelded.” The comebacker Wyfire makes his first start since finishing second in a turf sprint stakes last fall at Santa Anita; Swiss Swoo makes his U.S. debut with modest Irish form; Jazz Hands and Sensemaker are three-time winners entered for the $100,000 optional claim tag.