Closely matched trio face off again in California Dreamin'
DEL MAR, Calif. – Unusual Heatwave edged Mega Heat and Ethnic Dance in the Crystal Water Stakes on turf at Santa Anita on June 8, with the three runners finishing within a length in the one-mile turf race.
The close finish will leave bettors pondering which one to prefer when the three meet again in Sunday’s $150,000 California Dreamin’ Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar.
Unusual Heatwave overcame trouble to win by three-quarters of a length, with a nose separating Mega Heat and Ethnic Dance. Cases can be made for each on Sunday.
Unusual Heatwave raced in traffic in the stretch of the Crystal Water. His win ended a six-race losing streak dating back to his win in the $200,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds here in 2012.
Trained by Alexis Barba, Unusual Heatwave will be a threat from off the pace in a crowded 12-runner field in the California Dreamin.
“I expect him to sit off the pace, make his move and win,” Barba said. “He worked fabulous on the turf the other day.”
Owned by Teresa McWilliams, Unusual Heatwave worked five furlongs on turf in 1:02 last Sunday, his second turf work in July.
Barba said she respects Mega Heat, who is trained by Peter Eurton, and the John Sadler-trained Ethnic Dance. “Especially Sadler’s because he had been off or a while,” she said.
The California Dreamin’ includes Soi Phet, Spirit Rules, and Rock Me Baby, the first three finishers of the Bertrando Stakes for California-breds at a mile on dirt at Los Alamitos on July 3. Soi Phet was also entered for Saturday’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap.
KEY CONTENDERS
Unusual Heatwave (Last 3 Beyers: 93-84-77)
◗ The Crystal Water Stakes was Unusual Heatwave’s first stakes win on turf and first stakes win against older horses.
Ethnic Dance (Last 3 Beyers: 91-91-89)
◗ The Crystal Water was Ethnic Dance’s first start since a win in a division of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby here last September.
◗ Sadler was not encouraged by an outside post for Sunday’s race.
“I expected a better post than I got,” Sadler said. “I didn’t get a good draw.”
Mega Heat (Last 3 Beyers: 91-89-86)
◗ Earlier this year, Mega Heat won consecutive races against $40,000 and $75,000 claimers in one-mile turf races at Santa Anita. An eight-time winner, Mega Heat has yet to win a stakes.