ARCADIA, Calif. – Circumstances change for two prominent favorites Friday at Santa Anita, which creates a dilemma for bettors – what short price is acceptable for a contender racing under different conditions? Tapalo figures to win race 5, a maiden sprint. But his advantage in the seven-furlong race is based largely on a career-best finish around two turns. Will he run as well around one turn? Kerry Gold is similarly qualified in race 8, a California-bred allowance at a mile on dirt. However, his advantage is based mostly on winning form on grass. Can he be as effective on dirt? :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports The distance change for Tapalo and surface switch for Kerry Gold are particularly significant due to price. Both horses could start at low odds. John Sadler trains Tapalo, third by a neck last out in a maiden special weight mile. “I prefer to run a mile again, but it’s about the company,” Sadler said. “I’d be concerned if it was three-quarters” instead of seven-eighths. Tapalo drops in class Friday from maiden special weight into a race restricted to maidens who have raced for a claiming tag, or were sold at auction or reserve-not-achieved for $150,000 or less. Tapalo, owned by Hronis Racing, was purchased for $55,000 last spring at a 2-year-old sale. A three-start maiden, he has improved each subsequent start. “My horse’s numbers are going the right way,” Sadler said, referring to the field-high 78 Beyer Speed Figure that Tapalo earned finishing third by a neck at a mile. The race was validated when runner-up Imagination returned to win. Tapalo’s main rival Friday is Bowtie Boys, third in a $50,000 maiden-claiming sprint last out. Gavea, fifth in his debut, is likely to improve. Tapalo, who finished fourth and second in sprints prior to his career-high figure in a route, is quick enough to make the lead Friday under jockey Joel Rosario. Despite the distance cutback, Tapalo enters as one of most probable winners on the card. Kerry Gold will be well-backed in race 8, as the gelding makes a surface switch. His last four starts were on turf, including an impressive win last out. That was his first start for owner Gary Barber and trainer Peter Miller following a private purchase from Northern California connections. “He was in good form, and he looked like he could run on all surfaces,” Miller said explaining the acquisition. “And, he also had conditions. We’re hopeful he likes the Santa Anita main track.” Kerry Gold’s last-out turf win was flattered when runner-up Margot’s Boy returned to win a claiming race with a 90 Beyer. Miller acknowledged the surface change creates uncertainty for Kerry Gold. “In general, horses prefer one or the other, but I’ve had a lot of them, especially Cal-breds, that can win on both surfaces,” he said. Kerry Gold’s two previous dirt races were sprints, finishing second and third. Flavien Prat rides Kerry Gold again. The main rival for Kerry Gold on Friday is Speed Grazy, who has won on dirt, turf, and synthetic. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.