Air of Royalty preps in ambitious spot
ARCADIA, Calif. – With the goal of running in a $150,000 stakes later this month, Air of Royalty races above her eligibility in an optional claimer at Santa Anita on Thursday.
Thursday’s seventh race is a second-level optional claimer over about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course. Air of Royalty is eligible for a first-level optional claimer, but trainer Mark Glatt wants a prep race for her in advance of a potential start in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint here Jan. 24.
Glatt intended to start Air of Royalty in a first-level optional claimer earlier this month, but she did not draw into the race. He described Thursday’s race as “not the most desired spot,” but one in which Air of Royalty can be competitive.
A 5-year-old mare by Anziyan Royalty, Air of Royalty is owned by breeder Nick Cafarchia and is part of a field of 10.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Royal Temptress. Trainer Mike Puype is 40-3-6-6 with a $0.50 ROI over the past five years on the Santa Anita downhill turf course when cutting back from a route. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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KEY CONTENDERS
Air of Royalty (Last 3 Beyers: 79-84-60)
◗ Air of Royalty finished second by a half-length in a first-level optional claimer over five furlongs on turf as the 3-2 favorite at Del Mar on Nov. 22. She broke slowly and rallied wide in a race she should have won, Glatt said.
“She had a horrible trip,” he said. “She was five lengths the best horse. The winner got a good trip up the rail and beat me.”
The Del Mar race was Air of Royalty’s turf debut. She is a naturally quick filly, Glatt said.
“She could be the lone speed to me,” he said.
Baruta (Last 3 Beyers: 83-76-80)
◗ Trained by Richard Mandella, Baruta was entered in last Sunday’s $200,000 Monrovia Stakes on the hillside turf course but scratched in favor of this race.
◗ Baruta, 6, was third in two Group 1 races on turf in Brazil, one in 2012 and one in 2013. She won an optional claimer over a mile on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 28, her last start and her eighth in the United States.
“I think the hill should be her best race,” Mandella said.
◗ Baruta led all the way in her last race but has sometimes come from off the pace.
“She likes being on the front, at a mile particularly,” Mandella said. “I’m not sure about the six and a half. It depends on the pace. We were fighting her before, and I think we were trying to get to be one thing, and she wants to be another.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Diamond Stilettos. Trainer Doug O’Neill is 32-10-3-4 with a $2.89 ROI over the past five years at Santa Anita with last-out winners following a layoff of 45 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 10 Amnesia. Trainer Neil Drysdale is 19-0-2-1 over the past five years on the Santa Anita downhill turf course when cutting back from a route. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan