Alert Bay, Forest Chatter tangle in Sensational Star
ARCADIA, Calif. – The stakes winners Alert Bay and Forest Chatter meet for the first time in Saturday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.
Forest Chatter is unbeaten in five starts on the course in the last 14 months, including a win in the California Flag Handicap last October. Alert Bay is a graded stakes winner and a millionaire, but he has raced on the hillside just once, finishing sixth in the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes on Dec. 26.
Alert Bay and Forest Chatter are part of a field of 11 in the Sensational Star, which is restricted to California-bred or -sired 4-year-olds and up. They figure to dominate the betting in a race that includes Solid Wager, the winner of the Cary Grant Stakes on dirt at Del Mar last November; McHeat, a winner of two turf races in January; and Boozer and Poshsky, who were third and fourth in the $251,000 California Cup Turf Classic on Jan. 30.
KEY CONTENDERS
Alert Bay, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-92
◗ An eight-time stakes winner in 23 races, Alert Bay was second to What a View in the Cal Cup Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles. In the Daytona, Alert Bay closed from seventh of 12 under Martin Garcia to be beaten one length by the winner, Toowindytohaulrox.
“We thought he got a little confused around the turn,” trainer Blaine Wright said. “After the race, Martin said those horses kind of got the jump on him and quickened. Hopefully, he will have learned something from the first start.”
Forest Chatter, by Dixie Chatter
Last 3 Beyers: 85-92-90
◗ Forest Chatter won a stakes for the first time in the California Flag, leading throughout to prevail by a head. Forest Chatter was fourth behind Solid Wager in the Cary Grant Stakes, his first start on dirt and his 11th race.
◗ Through the winter, Forest Chatter progressed, trainer Richard Mandella said.
“He’s doing as good as he ever has,” Mandella said. “He’s put on a little weight.”
◗ Mike Smith will ride Forest Chatter, who figures to dispute the pace.
Boozer, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 93-89-80
◗ Boozer has been effective at distances ranging from about 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles on turf in the last 18 months. He won the 2014 California Flag Stakes on the hillside turf course and was third in the 2015 Sensational Star.
◗ Jockey Gary Stevens is likely to have Boozer near the front Saturday.
Aotearoa, by Good Journey
Last 3 Beyers: 79-91-91
◗ This will be the first start for Aotearoa since he finished seventh and was placed sixth in an optional claimer on turf at Del Mar last November. Trained by Leonard Powell, Aotearoa won an optional claimer on the hillside turf course at 9-1 last October, stalking the pace before taking the lead in the final furlong.
◗ A stakes winner on turf at 2 in 2013, Aotearoa could be a threat from off the pace.