D'Amato's pair look logical in Clocker's Corner

ARCADIA, Calif. – Lil Bit O’Fun and Hay Dude finished second days apart at Santa Anita in late December and early January. Those turf races have led to starts in Sunday’s $75,000 Clocker’s Corner Stakes and give trainer Phil D’Amato a formidable pair of runners.

“It’s hard to separate them,” D’Amato said.

The Clocker’s Corner Stakes is run at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course and is restricted to horses that have not won a graded stakes since July 1. The race drew 13 entrants, but will have a safety limit of 12 starters.

Of the seven stakes winners from 2014 in the field, two were graded stakes winners – Sweet Swap in the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes on the hillside turf course last April, and Clubhouse Ride in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes on dirt last June.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lil Bit O’Fun (Last 3 Beyers: 92-84-80)

◗ Claimed for $40,000 in September, 2013, Lil Bit O’Fun has since won 3 of 7 starts and earned $145,600.

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◗Lil Bit O’Fun, who won the restricted Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar last July, was beaten a half-length by Betty’s Bambino in the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course on Dec. 28.

Rafael Bejarano rode Lil Bit O’Fun for the first time in that race and has the mount on Sunday. Lil Bit O’Fun has won 2 of 4 career starts on the hillside.

“I like the way Rafael rode him last time,” D’Amato said. “He had a clean trip.”

Hay Dude (Last 3 Beyers: 94-87-79)

◗Hay Dude arrived from England last year, but was beaten in his first three starts in this country at a mile on turf, the most recent of which was a half-length loss in an optional claimer on Jan. 2. Following that race, jockey Kent Desormeaux suggested to D’Amato that the hillside could suit Hay Dude, who runs from off the pace.

“He thought the trip would help,” D’Amato said.

Pure Tactics (Last 3 Beyers: 89-95-86)

◗Pure Tactics won the Lure Stakes at a mile on turf in October, but was sixth in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 28.

“He might have been a little tired,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “That was under a month from his last race.”

◗Pure Tactics won the Siren Lure Stakes on the hillside turf course last June, his first stakes win in California.

“I think he’s equally good at both, 6 1/2 furlongs up to a mile,” O’Neill said. “He’s been pretty solid.”

Sweet Swap (Last 3 Beyers: 88-94-96)

◗Sweet Swap led with a furlong remaining in the Daytona Stakes, but finished third, beaten two lengths by Betty’s Bambino. Sweet Swap was fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint here on Nov. 1, losing by a length to Bobby’s Kitten.

◗Sweet Swap is a danger from just off the pace.