Dirt-loving Steel Lady tops Thursday allowance
ARCADIA, Calif. – When Steel Lady switched surfaces this fall, going from Del Mar’s synthetic surface to Santa Anita’s dirt surface, her career came alive.
In her third start, Steel Lady won a maiden race for California-breds over 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita by 9 1/2 lengths on Oct. 2. She faces winners for the first time in an optional claimer for California-bred fillies and mares over six furlongs Thursday, and trainer Jorge Gutierrez is hoping for another dazzling race.
“This last race took a lot less out of her than the races at Del Mar,” he said. “She should be very tough.”
Steel Lady drew the rail in a field of nine and will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano. Owned by breeders Sandy Mattei and Larry Konecne, the 3-year-old Steel Lady was late to the races, making her debut at Del Mar in July.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Steel Lady. Trainer Jorge Gutierrez is 37-7-5-9 with a $5.65 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprints with horses coming off a layoff of two weeks or less. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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She was in training earlier this year but suffered two minor setbacks.
“We had her in training, and she got sick on me,” Gutierrez said. “Then, a week before entries, she stepped on a nail with a hind foot.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Steel Lady (Last 3 Beyers: 81-71-63)
◗ Steel Lady was second in two maiden races at Del Mar, losing by 2 3/4 lengths July 20 and by a nose Aug. 23 over a surface she could not handle, Gutierrez said.
“She had a lot of trouble at Del Mar,” Gutierrez said. “I trained her on the training track.”
◗ Gutierrez said he is concerned about bringing her back on only two weeks’ rest.
Air of Royalty (Last 3 Beyers: 60-85-60)
◗ Air of Royalty is quick.
◗ The 4-year-old filly has made three starts, winning a maiden race over six furlongs by 6 1/4 lengths at Hollywood Park last November in her second start.
◗ Trained by Mark Glatt, Air of Royalty returned in an optional claimer at Del Mar in late August and finished fifth, beaten 4 1/4 lengths, after fighting for the lead to the eighth pole.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Air of Royalty. Trainer Mark Glatt is 18-1-2-5 with a $0.35 ROI over the past five years going synthetic to dirt in sprints at Santa Anita. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Bonus Spin (Last 3 Beyers: 71-81-76)
◗ Bonus Spin has started three times this year.
◗ Bonus Spin was second in her debut and won a four-runner maiden race over 5 1/2 furlongs here by 9 1/4 lengths in June.
◗ Trained by Jeff Mullins, Bonus Spin was fourth in her stakes debut in the $200,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies at Del Mar on July 26, her most recent start.