Bettys Bambino effective when he races sparingly

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bettys Bambino will never have an extensive schedule of races in a season.

“We have to take care of him,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “He’s 7, but he’s a young 7.”

Bettys Bambino has won 7 of 11 starts, including five consecutive races since September 2014. The gelding will make his 2017 debut in Saturday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Handicap for California-breds at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

The hillside is home for Bettys Bambino. He has won six of seven starts on the course, including the Sensational Star in February 2015 and his subsequent start – the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes on Dec. 26, the opening day of the current winter-spring meeting.

Bettys Bambino was sidelined for much of 2015 and 2016 with a suspensory injury and later a fractured shoulder.

Following the San Simeon Stakes, Eurton took a conservative approach with Bettys Bambino, focusing on the Sensational Star for the second start of the gelding’s comeback.

“I didn’t do a lot right after the race for the first three weeks, just jogging and galloping,” Eurton said.

Bettys Bambino races for Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable, and Joe Ciaglia. He drew the rail in the Sensational Star.

All the runners in the field are stakes winners – Acceptance, Ambitious Brew, Forest Chatter, and Richard’s Boy.

Sensational Star, Race 3

KEY CONTENDERS

Bettys Bambino, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 103-100-93

◗ Bettys Bambino won the San Simeon by 2 1/4 lengths. The race has proven to be productive. Runner-up Stormy Liberal won the Clocker’s Corner Handicap on Jan. 29, while third-place finisher Richard’s Boy won the California Cup Sprint on dirt Jan. 28.

◗ Eurton said Bettys Bambino has had sufficient training in the last month for Saturday’s race. Bettys Bambino is likely to race as a stalker behind Acceptance, who was third in the Cal Cup Sprint.

Richard’s Boy, by Idiot Proof

Last 3 Beyers: 98-97-97

◗ Richard’s Boy won the Cal Cup Sprint by a nose for his first stakes win since the Jess Jackson Owners’ Handicap at five furlongs on turf at Santa Rosa in August 2015. Trainer Peter Miller is hoping to start Richard’s Boy in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai on March 25.

“We’re not yet invited,” Miller said. “The timing and everything makes sense. It’s a month out.”

◗ Richard’s Boy was beaten 2 1/4 lengths as the 4-1 favorite in the San Simeon, closing from seventh in a field of 12. Miller wants Richard’s Boy closer to the pace to have a chance against Bettys Bambino.

“I think we’ll be in a better position this time,” he said.

Ambitious Brew, by Tizbud

Last 3 Beyers: 84-96-95

◗ Ambitious Brew has not raced since finishing 13th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on the hillside course Nov. 5. A 7-year-old gelding, Ambitious Brew won two stakes on the hillside turf course last year, including a division of the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes in September.

“This is a tough race,” trainer Marty Jones said. “It’s been a little treacherous getting a horse ready with the weather. He runs well fresh.”