Free: Santa Anita preview for Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

Turf racing has increased in popularity, and so has the volume of turf races at Santa Anita. Despite above-average rainfall and 18 scheduled turf races moved to the main track, Santa Anita ran a higher percentage of turf races the first two months of the meet than any first two months in track history. (Daily Racing Form turf-dirt records started in 1991.)

Nearly 34 percent of races this winter were on turf (113 of 333), which is the highest percentage for the first two months of a winter meet since record-keeping began nearly 30 years ago.

Few are complaining. Average field size on turf this winter is 8.5 per race, compared to 6.9 average field size on dirt (7.0 excluding off-turf races).

Thursday, for the first time in memory, Santa Anita carded more races on turf than dirt. Five of the eight races are turf.

As for potential downside to five turf races on an eight-race card, it would be course maintenance. Divots in the turf course require manual replacement by maintenance staff; that procedure will be limited particularly in the 31-minute window between races 7 and 8.

Light drizzle Thursday is not likely to affect the five turf races.

Race 1 – Santa Anita increased the number of turf races by running lower class levels. One in five turf races this winter was a maiden-claiming or restricted claiming races (non-winners two, non-winners three). Sugary (3) enters this $25k claiming N2L turf mile as a complete and total standout on figures. This is the first start at the bottom level (turf) for Sugary, who has a peculiar stat in her corner. All five N2L turf races this meet were won by the favorite. Sugary, 6-5, would make it six-for-six.

Race 3 – Only six entered this downhill sprint for older maidens, Cajun Treasure (3) has been routing like a colt that will appreciate the cutback to six and one-half furlongs. Dimkar (6) improved in his second start and may benefit from a return to turf; Overdue (4) debuts with fast works. It is uncertain why Raging Tiger (2) is the 2-1 favorite, but that would be a severe underlay. Expect his odds will float higher.

Race 5 – Cal-bred maiden fillies and mares will race one mile on turf, Smoovie (6) is the logical favorite stretching out with two good sprints under her belt. The field is so weak that 25-start maiden Radish (4) is 3-1 second choice in the program.

Race 7 – Five furlongs is a new turf distance this winter; all four races at the distance included an odds-on favorite (three won). No standouts in this $25k claiming N2L. Comebacker Candyman Garret (5) is the favorite, this handicapper prefers dirt-to-turf Surfside Sunset (3), whose dirt races are faster than his rivals. Also respect the speed of According to Buddy (4).

Race 8 – Three-year-old maidens race a mile on turf for a $50k claim tag. Seven Oxen (1) is this handicapper’s top choice, with trepidation. Six starts into his career, he is not getting any better. You Must Chill (6) is second preference and the program favorite, even though he probably does not want to run this far. If the program odds hold, perhaps the smart play is third preference Of Good Report (7). Sired by Twirling Candy, he is first-time turf, MSW-to-MCL, and listed at an appealing 6-1.

First post Thursday is 1 p.m. PT.