Callaghan high on juvenile filly Tijori
ARCADIA, Calif. – They start from scratch Friday at Santa Anita – precocious 2-year-olds launching their careers and 3-year-olds reviving theirs.
Tijori, a highly regarded juvenile filly, makes her debut at 4 1/2 furlongs in race 2. Longden, an impressive maiden winner and workmate for Justify, will face former Derby prospects Peace, Shivermetimbers, and Ayacara in a first-level allowance route for 3-year-olds, race 7.
Although more than 550 2-year-olds are training in Southern California, a limited number are ready. A filly race scheduled Thursday was not used, which is why two races from the Santa Anita condition book combined to create one good race for both genders on Friday.
Five of the eight entrants are fillies, including a flashy chestnut whom owner Kaleem Shah purchased for $525,000 this spring at a 2-year-old sale after her preview breeze in 10 seconds. Simon Callaghan trains the daughter of first-crop sire Will Take Charge.
“Her breeze was pretty spectacular, we thought, and she galloped out really good,” Callaghan said. “She’s got a nice, easy stride. Four and one-half furlongs is going to be on the short side for her. She’s going to get better once we stretch out.”
This is the second season together for Callaghan and Shah, who hope to replicate last season’s success with 2-year-olds. Moonshine Memories won her debut, followed by two Grade 1 stakes. Run Away won his debut and a Grade 2.
Callaghan tried to restrain his enthusiasm for Tijori in conversation this week, but no luck. He likes the filly. A lot.
“She’s been doing everything right; she’s got some ability,” Callaghan said. “We feel there will be some nice races in her future.”
If she delivers on early expectations, her 2-year-old campaign could include Royal Ascot. Callaghan did not confirm that, nor did he rule it out. “I just want to get this race over,” he said. “We’re hoping down the road there will be some nice races in the future.”
Flavin Prat has worked Tijori and rides her Friday.
Aside from the buzz horse, the field includes two well-meant Michael McCarthy trainees – the filly Over Emphasize and the colt Honcho.
“The filly is just a tick more mature than the colt,” McCarthy said. “They’re both training very well. They’re both doing well. It’s a little frustrating having to run two of them together.”
Over Emphasize, whose sire, Overanalyze, had two dozen winners in his first crop of runners in 2017, debuts with sharp works, including a 47.40-second gate drill. Drayden Van Dyke rides. Honcho, by Street Boss, worked in 47.60 from the gate. Tyler Baze rides.
Others in the field include the Doug O’Neill trainees Toothless Wonder and Factor of Two, along with Sparky Ville, Watch Me Burn, and the only second-time starter, Zip’s Secret.
While 2-year-old handicapping is based on works, trainer, and pedigree, 3-year-old analysis is based largely on racing performance. However, an April 27 workout by maiden winner Longden was too crucial to discount. Longden, under Martin Garcia, worked in company with subsequent Kentucky Derby winner Justify.
“[Longden] was a proper workmate,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He actually worked pretty good that day. I had to tell Martin to slow down a little bit. He was a target.”
Longden’s gradual ascent can continue in race 7.
