The Lead:
Saturday's Santa Anita action includes five stakes races across various divisions in the California-bred ranks. The best betting race of that group may be the 10-runner $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic. Race 9 on the card is set for 1-1/8 miles on the turf.

​Field Depth:
This is group accustomed to facing one another and there's no major class advantage among these state-bred turf veterans. Four of these competed in this race a year ago, including CARMELITA'S MAN, KING'S RIVER KNIGHT, ALIGATO and ROYAL 'N RANDO. Meanwhile, 2021 Grade 2 Del Mar Derby winner NONE ABOVE THE LAW has been a regular against many of these and joins the Unusual Heat Turf Classic fray for the first time.

Pace:
Last year's race cantered with fractions of 49-2/5 and 1:13-4/5, but the 2024 cast looks to have a much quicker tempo. BALLY'S CHARM and CATALINA EDDY are confirmed front-runners to join KINGS RIVER KNIGHT, last year's pacemaker. SILENT HEAT and NONE ABOVE THE LAW also figure in the early discussion. A late-runner should have every chance to punch home in the lane.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

1-NONE ABOVE THE LAW: 9 furlongs on turf may be beyond his best trip now at age 6 and snapping a 13-race losing streak here is a big question mark. Flavien Prat jumps to ride ALIGATO, but Joel Rosario a good pick-up.

2-CARMELITA'S MAN: Beaten favorite in this race last year has won just 1 of his last 9 and is just 1-for-8 at this distance of 9 furlongs on turf. Consistent efforts, but more likely for the exotics than win end.

3-BALLY'S CHARM: Speedster loves free-wheeling on the front and the Santa Anita turf course, winning 4 of 8 locally. Light campaign with only 3 starts last year, he's going to take heat under a solid weight of 124. I'd like his chances better in a softer pace scenario.

4-MONGOLION RIM: Golden Gate-based allowance winner has a win at the distance, but hasn't shown much in 5 starts on turf. Makes a class rise here even if leaving open-company races.

5-KINGS RIVER KNIGHT (pictured above): Raging form not in question, but the ability to see out the 9 furlongs is a concern. Battled through slow fractions in this race last year and wound up a close fourth. Currently just three-quarters of a length away from 6 straight wins (4 wins, 2 seconds in that span). Tough to discount, but may be susceptible late.

6-SILENT HEAT: First stakes bid for horse who lost his first 8 before capturing a maiden and entry-level allowance vs. Cal-breds in his last 2. Finds plenty of company up front in this one.

7-ALIGATO: The 2022 Unusual Heat Turf Classic winner was second here a year ago by a neck in his title defense. He checks the boxes will get a stronger pace to rally into with Flavien Prat reuniting as the pilot. Trainer Mark Glass off to a dynamite start at the new meet.

8-PASSARANDO: Northern California invader just turned 4 and hasn't faced older horses in stakes company to date. He's also raced on turf just once in 12 starts and was off the board in that one. Pass.

9-CATALINA EDDY: Tough post for his pressing running style given this race shape, he's likely to lose ground in his second start since April. Should benefit from the Dec. 28 run down the hill but situational fit here is questionable.

10-ROYAN 'N RANDO: Just 1 win in his last 10 and was sixth last year in this same race. Will drop back from the outside post and let the hot early pace do as much damage as it can to help him in the return.

Most Certain Exotics Contender:
ALIGATO is 14-for-14 in the superfecta lifetime.

Best Longshot Exotics Contender:
ROYAL 'N RANDO was only beaten 2-1/2 lengths in this race last year and will get a more favorable pace set-up this time. Bullet workout at Golden Gate before heading south.
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Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$84 win ALIGATO. $1 trifecta part-wheel ALIGATO with ROYAL 'N RANDO with all ($8). $1 trifecta part-wheel ALIGATO with all with ROYAL 'N RANDO ($8).