Acting Out transitions to dirt, must avoid getting caught in speed duel

The biggest field of filly-mare dirt sprinters this season in Southern California centers around one key question – how likely is Acting Out to reproduce her outstanding turf form when she switches to the main track Friday at Los Alamitos?

If she handles dirt, Acting Out will be tough to beat in the featured seventh race, an entry-level allowance with 10 runners, the circuit’s biggest field of filly-mare dirt sprinters this year. The average N1X field is fewer than six – nine races, 52 runners, five winning favorites.

Big fields are the new normal at Los Alamitos; average field size exceeded nine runners the first five days of the meet, including Friday. The 10-runner feature falls right in line. Acting Out will open as the 5-2 favorite by track linemaker Ed Burgart. A Melis is 7-2 second choice in the 5 1/2-furlong race, which is loaded with speed.

Square Peggy is a seven-time winner with speed, entered for the optional $40,000 claim price. A Melis typically presses the pace, along with Jewel Thief, Hotitude, Tip Top Gal, and No Cover Charge. The front end could be crowded when Acting Out runs for the first time over her home track.

“She acts like she likes the track a lot, and she acts like she’s improving,” trainer Art Sherman said.

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Acting Out crushed an entry-level allowance turf sprint by more than five lengths last out at Del Mar; she retains N1X eligibility because she is switching surfaces.

The win was her second from four starts, and two bullet works at Los Al since then indicate she holds form. Although her last three starts were on turf, Acting Out finished second in her career debut on dirt in summer at Del Mar. Her challenge Friday is the pace scenario.

“You can control her speed, she’s not one of those run-off types,” Sherman said. “If you want her to go in a minute and change, she’ll do that. If you ask her to go faster, she’ll do that. She’s kind of push button.”

Abel Cedillo rides 3-year-old Acting Out from post 7, where she might have the option of pressing the pace in the clear rather than engaging in an all-out duel. Eventually, Sherman hopes to test her stamina.

“My main goal somewhere down the line is to see if I can get her to expand her speed to two turns – that’s where the money is,” Sherman said.

Meantime, Acting Out has turned out to be a profitable acquisition.

Sherman and his son Alan, who doubles as assistant trainer, purchased Acting Out privately for $13,000. She has earned $80,540.

“She’s the big horse in my barn right now,” said Art Sherman, who trained Kentucky Derby winner and two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome. Sherman, 83, currently trains 10 runners.

“She’s picked up my head,” Sherman said. “With everything that’s going on now, you kind of need a boost.”