Chalk parade might continue in maiden special weight turf races

ARCADIA, Calif. – It was a bold move by Santa Anita to rearrange its calendar and jam seven stakes onto one card Oct. 29. The objective – generate national attention on the quiet Saturday one week before the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.

But the move carries a cost, and the first payment is due this Saturday. Santa Anita’s nine-race card does not include a stakes, rare for a weekend program at a major racetrack.

The stakes typically run this weekend were pushed back; stakes typically run closing weekend, Nov. 5-6, were pushed forward. The result is a seven-stakes bonanza Oct. 29 that could be a smash. That leaves this Saturday’s card without a big race. For bettors, it might not make a whit of difference.

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Autumn stakes at Santa Anita often are a parade of chalk. Ten of the 18 stakes this fall, including California-bred races, were won by favorites. Only four winners paid more than $10.

Perhaps the five maiden races Saturday will generate higher payoffs. Or not. Three races on Saturday are maiden special weights, which this fall generated the same chalky results as stakes – favorites are 10 for 18 in special-weight races across all categories.

The maiden special weight races Saturday are the first, seventh, and ninth. All three are on the main turf oval, including a sprint for 2-year-old fillies and a California-bred route open to both genders.

Race 1, at 6 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, is light on speed. The scenario benefits Devil Moon, who has not hit the board in his four starts. However, finish position is often less relevant than what transpired early in the race.

Devil Moon’s debut loss in winter was caused by a slow start from an inside post. Even-money next out, he misfired and was sidelined. His summer comeback was a last-place route disaster after he broke from an outside post and did not settle. Finally, trainer Richard Mandella gelded the full brother to Grade 1 winner Magnum Moon.

Devil Moon responded by running the best race of his career. At a mile on turf, the 3-year-old set blistering fractions (45.88 seconds and 1:09.45), led into the lane, and tired. He shortens to one turn Saturday and could be long gone. His main rival is 4-year-old stablemate Greenbow, a creditable fifth in his only start. He might want two turns.

Race 7, at six furlongs for 2-year-old fillies, includes an easily identifiable favorite in Ragtime Rose. She finished a second in her career debut three weeks ago after breaking slowly and waiting briefly in traffic on the turn. Although the Jeff Mullins trainee may eventually want two turns, she showed enough promise first out to merit horse-to-beat status as one of the most conspicuous favorites on the card.

Race 9, for California-bred 2-year-olds at a mile, includes the most probable winner Saturday. Peter Miller-trained Luka Grazie finished third going a mile on turf against open company at Del Mar in his California debut after a final quarter-mile in a solid 23.33. He drops into a statebred race Saturday.

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