Free: Cross-country plays for Thursday, April 2, 2020

Three tracks run a combined 26 races Thursday, including five races with legitimate contenders listed at generous prices. The focus is Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate Fields, with potential overlays such as these:

OP, race 2 (1:35 CT) – Little Red Frog (5) tried two turns last out and ran just okay, runner-up to a next-out winner. ’Frog shortened stride like she wants shorter, and cuts back to a dirt sprint for trainer Mike Maker, who is 7 for 23 turf route to dirt sprint since fall 2017. Maker and jockey Martin Garcia are 9 for 27 since December. Late-runner Little Red Frog fits perfect in this claiming sprint, but not sure we’ll get the 8-1 morning line.

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GP, race 6 (3:39 ET) – A mile around two turns is a reach for Richies Great Girl (1), but she certainly fits on class in this $50k claiming race for 3-year-old fillies. A three-time sprint winner, she ran okay finishing fourth against better her only route. ’Girl figures for a ground-saving trip right behind the speed, and will be in the right spot to pounce turning for home. Here’s hoping her 8-1 morning line holds up.

OP, race 9 (5:09 CT) – The favorite Pete’s Play Call (3) enters this claiming sprint with a dubious class-drop pattern, while the sharp Spokane Eagle (5) goes the other way – up. ’Eagle jumps two levels to $40k claiming after a fast win; he often strings together his good races. His morning line of 10-1 is fantas; a starting price of 4-1 would be fine.

GG, race 7 (3:54 PT) – Posh Holly (6) ran very well last out, runner-up to the streaking Crazy Sexy Munny (8 for 10 on synthetic) in a fine comeback. Posh Holly held off a host of challengers to win the race for second. It’s a parallel class move from restricted claiming to starter allowance. Respect favorite Shanghai Truffles (1), but Posh Holly is an in-form filly who fits at the class, fits on speed figures, and is listed at a generous 5-1.

GG, race 8 (4:24 PT) – Santa Anita’s turf is anti-speed at nine furlongs – pacesetters are 1 for 23 this season. The recent fifth at that distance at Santa Anita by Exhort (5) was better than it looks. In his second career start and on the closers-friendly Santa Anita turf, he set the pace to deep stretch before he was swallowed. Good effort by the maiden, who ships to Golden Gate in top form, shortens to a mile, faces easier, and is dead fit. Exhort can spring a synthetic upset at 9-2.