Free: How I'll play Santa Anita for Sunday, Jan. 15

The only turf race Sunday at Santa Anita, race 4, is likely to switch to the main track. After all, uncertain course condition is why the $75,000 Astra Stakes scheduled for Sunday was postponed.

If the maiden race Sunday is moved to dirt, the announcement will be made that morning.

The regrettable effect of a surface switch is it would kill the price on a purported race-4 longshot, Wise Curlin, who enters the mile route with a distinct pace advantage. He is 10-1 in the program. Bettors should expect less, assuming surface change and subsequent scratches.

As for the supposed “price play” in race 9, Westbrook also is likely to get bet down from 6-1 in the program. His attributes are too conspicuous to expect he will start at the morning-line price.

Races 4 and 9 Sunday are the recommendations Sunday, and also a test of discipline. If the choices start at less than “fair value,” the only reasonable option is to pass.

Race 4 is conspicuously short on speed. Ten older maidens entered the turf mile; Wise Curlin could be loose on the lead second start back. The lightly raced colt had been off eight months when he made the second start of his career Nov. 26 at Golden Gate Fields.

Wise Curlin did everything but win. He set the pace inside, hounded by two rivals. Wise Curlin shrugged off his pace foes, shook free into the lane, and then was worn down by the favorite who rallied from next to last.

It was a big comeback by Wise Curlin, who adds blinkers Sunday and benefits from the pace scenario. He might be loose. The third start of his career should be his best, and a gate-to-wire win is within reach.

The question is, what price? If the race moves to dirt and the field shrinks, lone speed Wise Curlin is worth a win wager at 3-1 or higher. In the unlikelihood the race stays on turf and the field remains intact, Wise Curlin is a win play at 4-1.

Race 9 is deep, at first glance. A large field entered the six-furlong, $50,000 claiming sprint for 4-year-olds. Perhaps a standout lurks.

Westbrook currently is the answer to a trivia question – who won the only race Arrogate lost? That was last April at Los Alamitos. Arrogate went on to win the Travers and Breeders’ Cup Classic, while Westbrook’s career stalled in the allowance ranks.

The thing about Westbrook is he has ability, but he is not quite fast enough to handle the older allowance runners he faced his last four starts. Westbrook finished out of the money each time, yet earned respectable Beyer Figures – high-80s last year, high-70s this year.

Those numbers are fast enough for this age-restricted claiming sprint, which is the first time that Westbrook has raced for a tag. Trainer Mike Puype has won with three of his last nine dirt sprinters, first-time tag. Westbrook is worth betting to win at 4-1 or higher.

Wise Curlin loose on the lead in race 4, minimum odds 3-1. Westbrook with a pressing trip in race 9, minimum odds 4-1.