ARCADIA, Calif. – Bettors face a tricky question Friday at Santa Anita – how much to wager on the $2 pick six that begins with a $71,790 carryover? The pool is likely to top $500,000 on a sequence (races 4-9) without an obvious single. Instead, it is filled with landmines. Vulnerable program favorites include a nine-start maiden, a slow $8,000 maiden-claiming filly, and a stretch-out sprinter who has never run well at two turns. Who knows? Perhaps 8-year-old stakes winner Coalinga Road will score his first victory in two years in race 7, an entry-level allowance. Trainer Carla Gaines said Coalinga Road is tearing down the barn and “acting like a 2-year-old.” That is a good thing. :: Playing Santa Anita? Get the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports available now. Race 4: The first leg is easy. It’s a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old claiming fillies with two major contenders. Gracie’s Big Day, the favorite, runs at the same $32,000 claim level as her last-out romp. The comebacker Thirsty Trickster drops in class, adds Lasix, and makes her first start for trainer Dean Pederson, who has had recent success with his first-start claims. Race 5: One more chance for vulnerable favorite Cyprus Moon? A career-maiden with speed, she drops to $50,000 maiden-claiming in this turf sprint. Cyprus Moon and dropper Girvin Gal are likely to contest the pace over a main-oval turf course that recently favored speed at six furlongs. Seven of the last 12 turf sprints at the distance were won by the pacesetter (all rail settings). The profile benefits Cyprus Moon and Girvin Gal. Off-the-pace contenders include Headstrong Ways and Ready to Dare. Race 6: Empress Lorrayne is a vulnerable favorite in this $8,000 maiden-claiming mile on the main track; her career-high Beyer Speed Figure is 43. She stretches out from a runner-up sprint and should make the lead. Runner-up her last three starts, twice as the favorite, Empress Lorrayne is tough to trust. Union Heiress is running for the first time at this low level and is likely to vie for favoritism. Race 7: A deep field entered this allowance/optional-claiming turf race at 1 1/4 miles and Coalinga Road is spotted for his first win since January 2023. Except for the 14-race drought, Coalinga Road, listed at 5-1, is easy to like. A stakes runner-up two and three back, Gaines-trained Coalinga Road had no chance last out. He finished ninth, beaten less than four lengths. “He got trapped, and never had a chance to get out the entire race,” Gaines said. “He galloped around the racetrack, came back, he wasn’t tired, he didn’t drink, and he’s been busting the barn down since.” The description of Coalinga Road’s trip is not wrong. Gaines would know, she has trained Coalinga Road his entire 32-start career. “That’s my baby, I’ve had him for six years. Yeah, it’s frustrating [two-year drought], but look at what he’s earned. He’s part of the family.” Coalinga Road, who made his debut in December 2019, has won four races and $515,144 from 32 starts. With a clean trip, Coalinga Road can spring a minor upset. Otherwise, pick a number. Contenders include longshot Invigorated, a second-time gelding; El Rey Rey, up in class off two wins; and Maltese Falcon, dropping to the class and distance of his most recent win. None Above the Law, the 7-2 morning-line favorite, was re-claimed last out by Peter Miller and adds blinkers. He could influence the pace. Race 8: Bartholdy is 0 for 4 in routes and has never passed a horse in the stretch. He won’t have to pass anyone in this second-level allowance/optional-claiming dirt mile. The program favorite, Bartholdy figures to set the pace but two turns is a long way for him. Cowboy Mike and American Admiral, entered for the $100,000 optional claiming tag, should wear down the pacesetter. Il Bellator ran well in his runner-up comeback, a head behind Cowboy Mike. Curiously listed at 10-1, his odds are likely to be lower, as he has a strong chance to improve. Race 9: California-bred maiden fillies and mares race one mile on turf, led by vulnerable favorite Danzig Til Dawn. She makes her third start back after a pair of modest in-the-money finishes at the distance. Her main rivals are unproven at two turns: Smiling Forever, Practical Dazzle, and also-eligible Garden Party. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.