All of a Sudden looks at home on turf
ARCADIA, Calif. – All of a Sudden has a pedigree and a recent start that indicates she could find a home on the turf courses at Santa Anita and Del Mar this year.
Last month, making her turf debut, All of a Sudden finished third going about 6 1/2 furlongs in an allowance race with a $16,000 claiming option for California-bred fillies and mares on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.
All of a Sudden is back in the same sort of race on Thursday at Santa Anita. Trainer Phil D’Amato said he intends to run her in longer turf races this spring and summer..
All of a Sudden will start from the outside post in a field of eight in the fifth race on an eight-race program that begins at 12:30 p.m., Pacific. There is a carryover of $284,685 in the single ticket jackpot pool of the pick six, which is paid only if there is one winning ticket.
KEY CONTENDERS
All of a Sudden, by Grazen
Last 3 Beyers: 73-65-74
◗ All of a Sudden is out of Stash, a Maria’s Mon mare who raced in Southern California from 2009-11 and won a $35,000 claimer on the hillside turf course in March 2010 for owner Nick Alexander and trainer Steve Miyadi.
◗ All of a Sudden was trained by Miyadi for Alexander in 2017, winning a maiden race for California-bred fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt for them. All of a Sudden was turned out at Alexander’s farm last fall and resumed training with D’Amato earlier this year.
D’Amato said All of a Sudden was a tired filly at the end of 2017.
“She had a bunch of races and Nick wanted to put a little weight on her and give her a break,” he said.
◗ All of a Sudden broke slowly in her April 13 race, her first start this year, and is unlikely to show much speed on Thursday.
“She’s a big, giant filly,” D’Amato said. “I don’t know how much gate to work I can do to get her to break much faster. She is one of the horses that’s going to come out of there the way she wants. The outside post will be able to stretch her legs and not get in tight with horses.”
Dreamy Gal, by Ez Dreamer
Last 3 Beyers: 58-77-80
◗ Dreamy Gal was 10th in an allowance race at a mile on turf for statebred fillies and mares on April 5, her last start. She disputed the pace before fading in the final quarter-mile. Thursday’s race will be her first start in a turf sprint, which could be a good distance for the 4-year-old filly, who is likely to race near the front.
