Boozer shakes off rust in stakes prep

ARCADIA, Calif. – Boozer is back after a seven-month break in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Friday, a race that could lead to a stakes appearance as soon as July 4.

Boozer won two stakes for California-breds in 2016 – the Sensational Star Stakes on the hillside turf course and the Bertrando Stakes on dirt at Los Alamitos – and earned $229,964 in an 11-race campaign, all for owner Al and Sandee Kirkwood and trainer Mark Glatt.

A 7-year-old gelding, Boozer was rested after finishing fifth as the 7-5 favorite in the California Flag Handicap on the hillside turf course last October.

“He’d had a good campaign and he was tired,” Glatt said. “He had a couple of little nicks. We ran him pretty hard.”

Boozer is one of four stakes winners in a field of seven in Friday’s race at about 6 1/2 furlongs. Coastline won the Clocker’s Corner Stakes on the hillside turf course in 2016. Grazen Sky won the Silky Sullivan Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old turf milers at Golden Gate Fields in 2015. Mr. Opportunist won the Desert Code Stakes for 3-year-olds on the hillside in 2016.

Bombard has yet to run in a stakes, but was an impressive winner on the hillside turf on May 12 in his first start of the year. Blameitonthelaw and Tiz a Billy were second in optional claimers on dirt earlier this spring, but have turf form that suggests that can play a role in what should be a competitive race.

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Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Boozer, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 92-99-88

◗ Boozer has won 4 of 10 starts on the hillside turf course and was second in a division of the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes on the hillside last September.

◗ Glatt has trained Boozer since early 2014. Boozer won his debut for Glatt after a break of nine months.

“He’s trained well and he runs good fresh,” Gl;att said. “I expect a real good effort out of him.

“He’s getting a little older. He seems to be the same old horse.”

◗ Pending Friday’s result, Boozer will be considered for the $100,000 Lennyfrommalibu Stakes for Cal-breds on the hillside turf course on July 4, the closing day of the spring-summer meeting.

Bombard, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 92-88-85

◗ Bombard returned from a layoff of more than nine months to win by 2 1/4 lengths in an optional claimer on May 12.

“He’s doing very good since and it’s hard to imagine one running better than he did,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “He’s always been a big, strong colt and I think he grew into himself.”

◗ Bombard will be ridden by Flavien Prat. In the May 12 race, Prat set the pace with Bombard. The 4-year-old colt is not reliant on that scenario. Bombard won a maiden race at 1 1/8 miles on turf as a stalker last June. Tiz a Billy and Mr. Opportunist are likely to lead on Friday.