Better break vital to Scarlet Heat's chances in Sunday allowance

The wintertime comeback of Scarlet Heat is under way.

A 5-year-old mare, Scarlet Heat finished fourth in an allowance race at Santa Anita at a mile on turf on Dec. 26 in her first start since May, and runs Sunday in an allowance race for California-bred fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Comebacks are part of a theme at trainer Dan Blacker’s stable these days. Blacker also is preparing the 4-year-old Hit the Road for the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes for turf milers on Feb. 6. Hit the Road has not raced since a win in the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar last July.

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Scarlet Heat is part of a field of nine in Sunday’s sixth race on an eight-race program that does not include a stakes race.

Owned by a partnership that includes Highlander Racing Stable, Rick Gold, and Radley Equine, Scarlet Heat closed from last and was beaten three lengths on Dec. 26.

“She missed the break and was a little too far back in a moderate pace,” Blacker said. “I hope she’ll break a little sharper. We’ve been working with her at the gate.

“She’s fitter now. I think the mile and an eighth distance will be to her advantage. We’ve thought a lot of her. Hopefully, she can take a step forward.”

Ricardo Gonzalez will ride Scarlet Heat for the first time Sunday in the mare’s ninth start. Scarlet Heat’s only win was a maiden race for California-bred fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in January 2020.

Scarlet Heat’s primary rivals are Kleen Karma, who was third in the Dec. 26 race; Y Not Sizzle, who won a $25,000 claimer for nonwinners of two Oct. 17 in her last start; and Rose’s Crystal, who won a maiden race for California-bred fillies and mares at a mile on Jan. 9.

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As for Hit the Road, he won both his starts in 2020, including an allowance race at a mile on turf at Santa Anita last May. Following the Oceanside, Hit the Road was turned out after being diagnosed with bone bruising, Blacker said.

“It was mild, but with a horse of his quality I wanted to give him time and run him when he’s 100 percent,” Blacker said. “That will increase his longevity.”

Hit the Road has worked steadily on the main track at Santa Anita, including five furlongs in 59.60 seconds on Jan. 21.

“I’d say we’re pretty likely for that race if things go smoothly,” Blacker said of the Thunder Road. “He has done everything very well and hasn’t missed a beat. I’ve had this race penciled in for a while.”