Anonymity has stakes on horizon after comeback win

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 4-year-old Anonymity returned from a layoff of more than eight months to win an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at Santa Anita on Saturday, leaving trainer Richard Mandella optimistic that the filly can be a stakes runner this year.

Ridden by leading jockey Flavien Prat, Anonymity disputed the pace for the first half-mile before pulling clear to win by 4 1/4 lengths as the 1-2 favorite. Anonymity ran six furlongs in 1:10.17, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.

“She’s giving us a feeling that she’s pretty good,” he said. “So far, it’s turning out.”

Owned by Larry Roth, who races as LNJ Foxwoods, Anonymity was purchased for $600,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2015. Anonymity won her debut at Del Mar last August but was turned out following a second-place finish in an optional claimer here last October.

Mandella suggested on Sunday that Anonymity would start in another optional claimer before a stakes appearance.

• Trainers Mark Glatt and Gary Mandella have been fined $500 each for medication violations after muscle relaxants were found in their runners in recent months, according to rulings published by the Santa Anita stewards.

Glatt was cited after Miss Ricochet tested in excess of the permitted level of dantrolene when fourth in a maiden race for California-bred fillies and mares as the 4-5 favorite on April 28. Miss Ricochet was beaten 3 3/4 lengths.

Mandella was fined after Cimpl Man tested in excess of the permitted level of methocarbamol in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course May 3. Cimpl Man finished third, beaten two lengths.