China Girl Lover faces deep field in quest for third straight win
ARCADIA, Calif. – Two appealing maiden races Thursday at Santa Anita compete for attention with the race-7 feature, a second-level optional $62,500 claiming race at 1 1/4 miles on turf.
China Girl Lover faces a deep field in the feature, including Baccelo, claimed last out and subsequently gelded; Procurement, a winner at the distance; Tattenham; and Awesome Return. Outsiders are Opsec, Street Fashion, and A Red Tie Day. The feature is puzzling compared to the maiden races it follows. Both have prospective standouts.
Race 5 is a turf sprint for older fillies and mares, and second-time starter Mysterious Miracle could be tough to catch. Race 6 is a dirt route for fillies and mares ages 3 and up; Faithfully enters with an improving pattern and a style that suits the pace scenario.
While Mysterious Miracle and Faithfully seek their first wins, China Girl Lover has become virtually automatic. His 4-for-8 record since transferring to trainer Dan Hendricks includes back-to-back wins at this meet against softer company.
MAIDEN TURF SPRINT (RACE 5)
KEY CONTENDERS
Mysterious Miracle, by Congrats
Beyer: 68
◗ She was compromised first out by circumstances in a seven-furlong race. She broke from the rail, rushed into a hot pace, and surrendered in the lane.
◗ Mysterious Miracle moves to an outside post Thursday, switches to the downhill turf course, and picks up jockey Flavien Prat. Trainer Phil D’Amato has won 6 of 12 turf sprints at this meet in which he had a starter.
Stylistic, by Cyclotron
Last 3 Beyers: 64-62-54
◗ A 6-year-old, she finished third in her recent comeback following an 18-month layoff. Kent Desormeaux rides for trainer Kenny Black.
MAIDEN ROUTE (RACE 6)
KEY CONTENDERS
Faithfully, by Smart Strike
Beyers: 71-55
◗ A $700,000 yearling, this 3-year-old filly improved second time out when the runner-up in a similar maiden route. Rafael Bejarano rides for trainer Bob Baffert.
Makena, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 81-66-79
◗ She was the runner-up in a seven-furlong sprint last out, and this one-mile race is her first attempt at two turns. The 4-year-old filly is trained by Scott Hansen; Drayden Van Dyke rides.
OPTIONAL CLAIMER (RACE 7)
KEY CONTENDERS
China Girl Lover, by Lawyer Ron
Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-82
◗ China Girl Lover won a first-level optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on Jan. 18, followed by a win in a starter allowance. He will be ridden by Van Dyke.
Baccelo, by Northern Afleet
Last 3 Beyers: 70-95-85
◗ Peter Miller claimed Baccelo last out and subsequently had him gelded. Miller is 9 for 20 first off the claim since the middle of October. Brice Blanc rides.
◗ Baccelo was a multiple Group 1 winner in Brazil.
Procurement, by Milwaukee Brew
Last 3 Beyers: 81-88-96
◗ Fifth as the favorite last out in a similar race, Procurement’s most recent win was a 1 1/4-mile turf race over the Santa Anita course.
◗ Tom Proctor trains Procurement, whose rider is Mike Smith.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Opsec. Trainer John Sadler is 23-9-1-1 with a $5.65 ROI over the past five years in turf routes in the first start following a claim. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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