Bendable must utilize speed from rail
ARCADIA, Calif. – Bendable impressed jockey Flavien Prat when she beat maidens in her debut in a 14-1 upset at Santa Anita on June 3.
“I was surprised how fast she was,” Prat recalled on Wednesday.
Bendable’s speed could be an asset when she starts against winners in a first-level allowance/optional $75,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs at Santa Anita on Friday. Bendable drew the rail in a field of five and may need to utilize that speed to maintain a good position.
Bendable is one of three entrants who won their last starts. Run for Retts won an optional claimer for California-breds on May 29. Sweet Halory won a maiden race at Del Mar last November in her only start.
The other runners are Cuyathy, who was third in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course May 27, and Street Surrender, who ran a disappointing race when last of eight in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles as the 8-5 favorite on May 20.
Race 4
KEY CONTENDERS
Bendable, by Horse Greeley
Last Beyer: 87
◗ Bendable is a full sister to the millionaire and three-time stakes winner Clearly Now. In her debut, Bendable broke from the outside in a field of eight. She was near the front early and took the lead on the turn in the race at 5 1/2 furlongs.
“She showed some speed,” Prat said. “She won pretty impressively.”
◗ Bendable’s inside post on Friday is not a major concern for Prat.
“Last time, she broke well,” he said. “If she breaks the same way, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
◗ Bendable is trained by Richard Mandella, who said the filly did not have a strenuous training schedule through June.
“I was sure happy with the way she ran,” he said. “She ran so well we didn’t do anything new out of it. We’ve kept her comfortable.”
Run for Retts, by Ministers Wild Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 81-67-76
◗ She is the most experienced filly in the field, having won 2 of 10 starts. Trained by Steve Miyadi, Run for Retts was second in the Evening Jewel Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies here on April 9. On May 29, Run for Retts closed from fifth in a field of six to win an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs by 3 1/2 lengths.
Cuyathy, by Congrats
Last 3 Beyers: 67-63-58
◗ Cuyathy is a quick filly from the gate, which could lead to her having an important role in Friday’s race. She set the pace in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course May 27 and was beaten a length at 37-1. Trained by William E. Morey, Cuyathy drew the outside post and will be ridden for the first time by Joe Talamo.