Californian: Judge Miller's 105 Beyer says it all, $49,398 carryover in the $1 Pick 6

ARCADIA, Calif. – Mark Glatt was watching his horses train one morning this past December at Santa Anita when he pointed to a massive chestnut colt jogging past.

“That’s probably the best horse I have,” Glatt said, referring to a 3-year-old maiden who finished second in his debut weeks earlier at Del Mar. The trainer’s evaluation would be tested when the Santa Anita meet began Dec. 26. So far, so good.

Judge Miller won a maiden sprint opening day, got sick and was scratched in January, then stretched out for his third start Feb. 24 and validated Glatt’s confidence. Judge Miller won an allowance by 11 lengths in 1:35.20, the meet’s fastest dirt mile by more than four-fifths.

“I don’t think it was the strongest field in the world, but visually and timewise – he got a 105 Beyer – it was what we expected once he got the chance to go two turns,” Glatt said. “Until you see it, you don’t necessarily believe it.”

Believe it. Judge Miller, a 4-year-old by Curlin produced by a Grade 1 winner and a full brother to Grade 1 winner Clairiere, is on his way. His ascent may continue in the Grade 3 Californian Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita. For Glatt and owner Muir Hut Stables, it is no surprise Judge Miller could be favored in a graded stakes in just his fourth start.

“I was hoping for it,” Glatt said. “I didn’t necessarily know when it might be. But it makes sense at this time.”

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Judge Miller, whose new rider is Mike Smith, enters the 1 1/8-mile Californian as one of the country’s fastest horses. His 105 Beyer is tied for the year’s second-highest dirt figure, topped only by the 110 by Fierceness in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

Judge Miller faces four rivals in the $100,000 Californian – graded stakes winners Mr Fisk and None Above the Law, graded stakes-placed Mixto, and allowance-caliber Mystification. The Californian is race 7. The Grade 3 Providencia Stakes for turf fillies is race 8. The Californian is the third leg in the $1 Pick 6, which has a $49,398 carryover after Friday's card. The Pick 6 pool Saturday is estimated to approach the $400,000 mark.

Glatt said Judge Miller has trained well since his last race, and though Mystification could apply pace pressure, Judge Miller showed last out he can take heat. He is the only dirt-mile pacesetter this winter at Santa Anita to get six furlongs in less than 1:10. He went 1:09.82.

Smith has worked Judge Miller and will ride him for the first time in a race. He replaces Flavien Prat and Frankie Dettori, who are in Kentucky. If bettors gravitate, as usual, to the highest figure, Judge Miller will be heavily favored.

“We’re just hoping he develops into a bona fide handicap horse,” Glatt said. “Obviously if you’re in Southern California, you hope he develops into a Pacific Classic horse.”

Mr Fisk, a Grade 3 winner, has worked fast for his first start since late January. Mixto earned 95 Beyers in his last three starts and drops from a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap. Saturday, they might all be chasing Judge Miller.

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