Central Heat streaks into Golden Poppy
Will it be lucky No. 7 for Central Heat, the defending champion in Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Poppy at Golden Gate Fields?
Central Heat has won six straight going back to Nov. 8, 2014. She won last year’s Golden Poppy, which is for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on grass, and followed up nearly three months later by winning the Luther Burbank on turf at Santa Rosa. That Aug. 2 race was her fifth straight win and her final start of 2015.
Central Heat, 7, prepped for the Golden Poppy with a four-length win on turf in a Golden Gate Fields allowance on April 24, stretching her streak to six.
Russell Baze rides Central Heat on Saturday and will be going for his seventh straight win on her. He rode her to a victory in August 2014 and in the first five races of her win streak. Roberto Gonzalez was aboard for Central Heat’s last race.
Baze has four mounts Saturday in his return to racing from a fractured collarbone sustained April 16.
Trainer Bill Delia said the Luther Burbank was not supposed to be Central Heat’s final race of 2015.
“We decided to go to Del Mar, and the day the van was here to take her there, she walked out of the stall dead lame,” he said.
Central Heat wasn’t able to return to the track for 3 1/2 months, but she came back perhaps better than ever.
Central Heat earned a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure in her comeback victory over Golden Poppy rivals Chocolatier and Qiaona.
“She’s running great right now,” said Delia. “I’m a little concerned about this race. She ran so well in her comeback, I worry about the bounce factor.”
Golden Poppy (race 7)
Key Contenders
Central Heat, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 91-89-89
◗ If she doesn’t bounce, Central Heat has an excellent chance to defend her title here. She usually races a few lengths off the pace and should get a good trip behind Chocolatier and other speed horses.
Qiaona, by Wilko
Last 3 Beyers: 80-91-88
◗ Qiaona ran third as the favorite in the April 24 prep behind Central Heat and Chocolatier.
◗ She is 2 for 2 at this distance.
◗ She’ll be sitting near the back and should get a decent trip with and outside draw and what should be a spread-out field.
Miss Boom Boom, by Run Away and Hide
Last 3 Beyers 84-56-80
◗ Price possibility has a 2-for-2 record over this course, with both wins coming at this distance.
◗ Should get a good stalking trip.