ARCADIA, Calif. – The only drama on the turf course at Santa Anita on Monday was courtesy of photo finishes. A day after three riders, including leading jockey Flavien Prat, refused to ride Sunday’s final race because of concern over the condition of the course, four turf races were run without incident Monday. Late Sunday and early Monday, track maintenance crews mowed and aerated the course to provide better conditions. Turf racing went forward after track officials, representatives of the California Thoroughbred Trainers Association, the California Horse Racing Board, and a group of jockeys walked the turf course late Monday morning. Later, the riders met among themselves in the jockeys’ room before agreeing to ride the course. The four turf races on Monday included three races at a mile and one at six furlongs, all on the main turf oval. The hillside turf course was not scheduled to be used. During the morning inspection, a group of track officials and riders walked the entire course, while another group spoke on the first turn. Track officials discussed moisture content and surface compaction with the riders, categories regularly tested by maintenance crews. :: Want the best bonus in racing? Get a $250 deposit match, $10 free bet, and free Formulator with DRF Bets. Code: WINNING Shortly after the inspection ended, the track announced that the turf course inner rail would be set at its normal position following a request from riders. The original plan was for the temporary rails to be positioned 10 feet from the inside rail for the Monday program. Jockeys reported that the turf course posed no issues Monday. “I thought it was better,” Prat said late Monday afternoon. “Yesterday was unsafe. They made changes.” On Sunday, Prat said he thought the course was “slippery.” “To me, you can’t ride properly,” he said at the end of Sunday. Prat, Ryan Curatolo, and Drayden Van Dyke declined to ride Sunday’s final race after expressing unhappiness with the condition of the course. A replacement rider was found for Van Dyke’s mount, while the mounts of the other two jockeys were late scratches. The field was in the saddling enclosure when the scratches were announced. :: Win big at Santa Anita: Get DRF Past Performances, Picks, Clocker Reports and Betting Strategies.  Earlier on Sunday, Van Dyke’s mount stumbled in the sixth race, causing him to briefly lose his irons. Van Dyke did not have a mount on turf Monday. Juan Hernandez rode Explosive to a second-place finish on turf in Monday’s first race and said the 5-year-old gelding “handled it pretty good.” “It feels good to me,” he said. Hernandez, Prat, and Curatolo were among the riders to walk the course and speak with track officials Monday morning. They conferred with track supervisor Jesse Martinez and track superintendent Dennis Moore who explained the maintenance procedures. As late as 11:45 a.m. Monday, a track maintenance crew was aerating an area near the quarter pole where some jockeys had expressed concern over the weekend about the quality of footing. “Jesse and Dennis said they worked on the turf, and they have lots of experience,” Hernandez said. “We have to trust them.” Darrell Haire, West Coast representative for the Jockeys’ Guild, said in late morning that riders “felt pretty confident” the course would pose no issues Monday. “The riders want more communication with the trackman, Jesse,” Haire said. Conditions have been largely dry in Southern California in the last month, with minimal rain. There was no rain over the weekend. There is a chance of rain in coming days. Turf races have become a vital part of Southern California racing in recent years, particularly at Santa Anita. At the current meeting, which began Dec. 26, there have been 250 races, with 120 on turf. Racing resumes Friday with an eight-race program, including five races on turf.