Free: How I'll play Santa Anita for Monday, May 29

California-bred 3-year-olds will race for $200,000 in the two richest races Monday at Santa Anita. Bettors will find more appealing wagering opportunities in a pair of overnight races.

X Y Sky looks like an odds-on cinch in the Melair Stakes, race 5, a 1 1/16-mile dirt race for statebred fillies. B Squared is the one beat in the Snow Chief Stakes, race 8 at 1 1/8 miles on turf. The lightly raced B Squared is the tepid favorite at 3-1.

Meanwhile, the two “best plays” come in races 1 and 7. The good news – neither is favored.

Race 1 is a $50,000 claiming turf sprint that drew only six fillies and mares. Program favorite Candy Boss merits respect as likely pacesetter, yet the most likely winner is the 2-1 second choice.

Del Mar Ann finished in front of Candy Boss last month, then returned with a creditable runner-up finish last out in a $32,000 claiming race won by the sharp Little Bit Lovely.

Del Mar Ann has sufficient tactical speed to stay within striking range of front-runner Candy Boss, who faded in both recent starts on the hill. If the pacesetter falters again, Del Mar Ann would get first run.

Perhaps 2-1 odds represent no bargain for Del Mar Ann. On the other hand, one could argue she is a low-odds overlay based on trainer stats gleaned from DRF Formulator.

Richard Baltas is deadly with Santa Anita turf sprinters that “figure.” Since last April at 2-1 or less in downhill sprints, Baltas has had 10 starters – four wins, four seconds, and a third. Baltas turf sprinters fire when they are expected to fire.

Race 2 selection Del Mar Ann is a conservative play at 8-5 or higher.

Race 7 is a sprint for maiden 3-year-old fillies; second-start maiden California Breeze ran better than it appears in the past performances. She is listed at 8-1.

California Breeze trained well into her debut, but the 5 1/2-furlong race was only a prep. She broke slowly, was not asked, raced evenly, closed six lengths on the leaders without excessive encouragement, and galloped out with energy past the wire.

Several changes Monday can lead to improvement. She gets an additional furlong to 6 1/2, switches to leading rider Flavien Prat, meets a field with speed to run at, and has a race under her belt.

The video replay of California Breeze suggests she has more ability than her sixth-place debut indicates. Bettors can expect an improved effort Monday.

Race 7 selection California Breeze is a gamble at 6-1 or higher.