Amnesia set for improvement in second U.S. start Thursday

ARCADIA, Calif. – Amnesia overcame a slow start to finish third in an optional claimer over a mile April 26 in her American debut. The race may have served as a vital lesson for the 3-year-old filly.

“She was green,” said John O’Donoghue, assistant to trainer Neil Drysdale. “She was looking around. We hope that race will help her.”

Amnesia can win for the second time in her career in an optional claimer over 1 1/4 miles on turf for fillies and mares in Thursday’s seventh race at Santa Anita.

Amnesia, by Invincible Spirit, is owned by Alice Bamford. The filly beat maidens in her third start in England last September at Brighton Racecourse. Amnesia later finished ninth and seventh in allowance races for sales progeny at Newmarket, races worth $160,100 and $480,300.

In the April 26 race, Amnesia was beaten 3 1/4 lengths, edging a rival in the final strides to finish third.

As of Sunday, it was unclear who would ride Amnesia. Rafael Bejarano was named when entries were taken but was injured in a spill Saturday and will be out of action until the summertime.

The optional claimer drew a field of nine, four of whom are 3-year-old fillies. The 3-year-old Fleet of Gold has yet to start on turf. She finished third in the Busanda Stakes on the inner dirt track at Aqueduct in January and joined trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s stable in February.

Three fillies and mares won their last starts – Commander Cloud, Lil Swiss Echo, and Tiz the Key.

Commander Cloud won a $25,000 claimer for non-winners of two over a mile on turf April 27. The 6-year-old mare was ridden by Tiago Pereira, best known for winning the 2010 Dubai World Cup aboard Glória de Campeão. Pereira has been riding in Southern California in recent months.

Lil Swiss Echo drew the outside. Trained by Vladimir Cerin, Lil Swiss Echo won an allowance race for California-breds on April 11 under apprentice jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who has the mount Thursday.

With a long run to the first turn, Cerin said the outside post is not a concern.

“They’ve got a long time to sort themselves out,” Cerin said.

Tiz the Key beat maidens on dirt April 4, her first start of 2014. She was a troubled seventh in the Surfer Girl Stakes on turf last October.