Career maidens in good spots to finally break through
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Lifetime maidens rank among the banes of a horseplayer’s existence, yet they are the focus Thursday at Del Mar in late races that include a pair of veterans who have combined to go 0 for 24.
It is easy to scoff at eight-start maiden Plagarist in race 5 and 16-start maiden High King in race 8. But tickets that do not include the class droppers might be leaving off the most likely winners in two races.
Thursday kicks off closing week of the Del Mar summer meet that ends Monday, Sept. 7. The pickings are slim Thursday. Career maidens Plagarist and High King could carry the day.
Race 5 is a maiden special weight dirt mile for 3-year-olds and up. For the gelding Plagarist, the 3-1 program favorite, it marks a return to preferred footing. Plagarist has lost his last three starts on turf. His best races were his only dirt routes early this year. He seems to prefer the main track.
“I think the same,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “He ran good on the turf, but he doesn’t have that last little kick on the turf. I’m hoping he carries himself [farther on dirt].”
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The Beyer Speed Figures that Plagarist earned for his dirt routes – 86 and 83 – are within range of the 88 Beyer par for the level.
If Plagarist does not get it done, Glatt’s second starter just might. Knave of Hearts is stretching out from a debut sprint.
“He looks like a route horse,” Glatt said. “I don’t think there’s any question he wants more ground.”
Knave of Hearts, fourth in his debut, is likely to improve second time out and first time going long. He is listed at a generous 8-1. Others in the field include Truth or Dare, Collmus, and Deep Tracks.
Race 8 Thursday is a turf mile for maidens and the best chance for 5-2 program favorite High King, whose 16 losses have come in Cal-bred maiden special weight races. He drops to Cal-bred $50,000 maiden-claiming company on Thursday. Trainer Gary Stute expects him to run well on the drop.
“He tries every time,” Stute said. “He is a trier. The vet said we’d better start picking some easier spots because he tries so hard.”
High King’s speed figures rank among the highest in the field. His rivals include last-out maiden-claiming runner-up Heroic Dose, also-eligible Dr. Filkins, and stretch-out filly Sissy Girl.
While frustrations could continue regarding Plagarist and High King, neither is close to matching Truly a Tenor and Gussie Mae. Both were 0 for 85 before winning maiden races in July 1990 and June 1995, respectively. Truly a Tenor won at River Downs, while Gussie Mae won at Atlantic City Racecourse. Zippy Chippy finished his racing career in 2004 after losing all 100 starts.
◗ The featured seventh race Thursday is a dirt mile for California-bred maiden fillies and mares. Christel Clean is the 5-2 program favorite after a runner-up finish against similar. Her main rival might be Theresailverlinin, up in class after a decisive victory for $10,000 claiming. She runs for the $20,000 optional claim tag and offers value at 12-1 on the morning line.