Litfin: Santa Anita pick four play for Friday, Oct. 31

It sure seems like the 2-year-old grass races with 14-horse fields are the spots to cast a wide net in the Breeders’ Cup Friday pick four, while there is considerably more to go on in the Dirt Mile and Distaff.

I'm assuming the also-eligible horses will be scratched.

JUVENILE TURF: Hootenanny (#5) is a vulnerable morning-line favorite who has never been past six furlongs, and has never run in a turf race with turns. He has obviously got talent - after all, he won the 24-horse Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot - but we’ve got to go deep.

Among the Europeans, the stakes-seasoned War Envoy (#7) and well-connected Commemorative (#4) figure prominently. Aktabantay (#9) goes well on firm ground and will be a big price.

The best of the North American contingent looks to be Luck of the Kitten (#3) and Imperia (#11). However, Offering Plan (#8) and Startup Nation (#10) can’t be counted out due to the Chad Brown factor.

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A – 4, 5, 7, 9
B – 3, 11
C – 8, 10

DIRT MILE: Defending titlist Goldencents (#1) is the most likely winner of any 2014 Breeders’ Cup race if he comes away cleanly from the rail, but what happens if he breaks in the rear half of the field, which he has done in his last three starts?

While he’s a solid-looking anchor, beating him could open the vault.

With three Beyer Figures of 105 or better from his last six U.S. starts, Pants On Fire (#4) has the best chance for an upset. He was ruined by an intense inside speed bias in the 2013 Dirt Mile.

Of the others, Tapiture (#9) may be sitting on a forward move after regrouping nicely following the Kentucky Derby.

Vicar’s in Trouble (#3) or Fed Biz (#8) could wind up on the lead if Goldencents misses the break.

A – 1
B – 4, 9
C – 3, 8

JUVENILE FILLIES TURF: Sivoliere (#6) is the latest acquisition from the Martin Schwartz-Chad Brown pipeline, which imported back-to-back champions Stacelita and Zagora.

Osaila (#2) has won the last three times she has been ridden by Frankie Dettori, and drew favorably, assuming, that is, she handles the turns.

Lady Eli (#4) finished explosively in the Miss Grillo, but whether she can fire similarly into a faster pace remains to be seen.

Sunset Glow (#3) had no Lasix for her grass race at Royal Ascot and still finished second in a 21-horse field despite Victor Espinoza losing the whip.

Qualify (#14) drew miserably, but otherwise figures close with Osaila off their meeting in the Moyglare Stakes.

If results are straightforward in the surrounding legs, that will afford the luxury of picking up Partisan Politics (#1), Isabella Sings (#5), Rainha Da Bateria (#7) and Tammy the Torpedo (#12).

A – 2, 4, 6
B – 3, 14
C – 1, 5, 7, 12

DISTAFF: Based on the way she has been handled during the second half of the season and the way she is training, I like Untapable (#10) to get back to her Kentucky Oaks peak of a 107 Beyer, and perhaps even surpass it.

I’m not nearly as confident about Close Hatches (#11) after an inexplicably dull effort in the Spinster at 1-5.

Belle Gallantey (#4) had everything her own way wiring the Delaware Handicap and the Beldame, but it’s hard to see her getting to the top breaking outside Tiz Midnight (#2).

Assuming a fair playing field, a fast pace benefits Don’t Tell Sophia (#7), whose only loss this year was a close third to Close Hatches on a sealed track.

A – 10
B – 7, 11
C – 3, 4