Anyportinastorm tries for first turf win going two turns in Alcatraz

Options are important for trainers, and trainer Blaine Wright’s stakes options range from Golden Gate Fields to Emerald Downs on Sunday.

Wright had a pair of 3-year-olds nominated to Sunday’s $75,000 Alcatraz at Golden Gate Fields and opted for Anyportinastorm for the one-mile turf race. He sent Aqua Frio, who has never finished off the board and has three seconds and a third in stakes, to Emerald Downs for his 2017 debut in the $50,000 Auburn at six furlongs.

Anyportinastorm has won both of his starts on Golden Gate’s main track. He was second sprinting on turf in his career debut and ran sixth in the $81,000 Baffle Stakes down the hill at Santa Anita.

In the Baffle, Anyportinastorm encountered adversity. When he reached the point where he had to cross over Santa Anita’s main track, he lost both of his front shoes, one of which Wright said could be seen clearly on the replay.

“He ran a good race down south,” Wright said. “He handled the turf there fine. The horse that beat him up here just ran away from him.”

Anyportinastorm and Aqua Frio had bullet works last Sunday, with Aqua Frio breezing five furlongs from the gate in a minute flat, the best of 52 works at the distance that day, and Anyportinastorm going six furlongs in 1:13.20, the fastest of 12 works at the distance.

Owner Peter Redekop and Wright opted to send Aqua Frio, a runner-up in all four of his dirt starts, to Washington and keep Anyportinastorm on turf.

“We’re trying to keep our good 3-year-olds separated,” said Wright.

This will be Anportinastorm’s first try around two turns, but his breeding doesn’t hint at any problem going long.

Main rivals More Power to Him and Grecian Fire, both coming out of the $100,000 Silky Sullivan two weeks ago on turf here, have the advantage of route experience.

Alcatraz, Race 7

Key Contenders

Anyportinastorm, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-69

◗ This $320,000 purchase last spring was nominated to the Triple Crown. He’s content to sit early but figures to get a good stalking position with his outside draw.

More Power to Him, by Slew’s Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 79-76-75

◗ The runner-up in the California Derby and El Camino Real Derby ran evenly but never threatened in his turf debut. He was off for six weeks before his last start, and the barn does well in the second start after similar layoffs.

Grecian Fire, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-65

◗ Runner with outstanding turf breeding adds blinkers. Has stalked and faded in both of his turf starts but had a ton of trouble in his first stakes start down south.