Ameerah B should run well in her debut

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ameerah B has shown enough ability in recent workouts that trainer John Sadler is confident the filly will perform well in her debut in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Asked on Friday morning about Ameerah’s B chances in the five-furlong turf race for 3-year-old fillies, Sadler had a quick reply.

“Winner,” Sadler said.

Ameerah B is by Street Boss out of For Passion, and is a full sister to Soul Driver, who won two stakes, including the 2015 Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar.

“She’s fast on top of it,” Sadler said.

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Ameerah B will start in the eighth and final race Sunday on a program that begins at 1 p.m. Pacific. Two maiden special weight races highlight the program, which does not include a stakes or an allowance race.

Owned by Al Rashid Stables, Ameerah B was purchased for $350,000 at the 2018 Ocala Breeders’ Sales April 2-year-olds in training auction. She will be ridden by Tyler Baze, who is riding at Santa Anita this weekend before returning to the Midwest.

Sadler has two first-time starters in the field. Katsaros, by Curlin, was bought as a yearling for $210,000.

“She’s probably wants more ground, but she’s training well, too,” Sadler said.

Holly Hundy, who breaks from the rail, is expected to draw support in her fourth start. Trained by Vladimir Cerin, Holly Hundy was fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length, in a maiden special weight race at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course March 30. She started her career at Gulfstream Park last December, then came to Santa Anita and ran fourth going a mile on turf on Feb. 16.

“I think she’s coming up to her best race,” Cerin said. “There are a lot of first-time starters in there and some look like they can run.

“I think she’s better now. She looks better physically.”

Sunday’s eighth race will be the second start for Shanghai Truffles, who was eighth behind Holly Hundy on March 30. Trained by Paddy Gallagher, Shanghai Truffles broke slowly, but closed well to finish 4 3/4 lengths behind winner Hello Bubbles.

“She’s coming back a little soon, but she seems all right,” Gallagher said. “She had a nice run. She finished.”

In the fifth race on Sunday, Runnin’withdadevil will have his second start in a maiden special weight race for California-breds at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt.

Trained by Mark Glatt, Runnin’withdadevil was third, beaten 4 1/2 lengths in a six-furlong maiden race March 31. Runnin’withdadevil raced from a stalking position in that field. For Sunday’s race, Runnin’withdadevil will be fitted with blinkers.

“He should be tough,” Glatt said. “I’m not thrilled about drawing the rail. I think he’ll be on the lead provided he gets out of there well.”

Assael Espinoza has the mount on Runnin’withdadevil, who is part of a field of six.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer starts General Mo, who was nominated for the Triple Crown. He was fifth in his only start, which came against California-bred maidens at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 4.