Distance decision looms for Anonymity

DEL MAR, Calif. – Anonymity rolled to an authoritative victory in a second-level allowance going seven furlongs on Sunday and now will step into stakes competition, but trainer Richard Mandella said he’s not sure whether to keep her around one turn or stretch her out.

“I don’t know whether to pursue long or short,” he said. “Right now, just sizing it up.”

Anonymity, a 4-year-old daughter of Tapit, has now won three times in four starts. She is owned by the Roth family’s LNJ Foxwoods.

“Each time she runs pretty well, and this last time topped it off,” Mandella said. “The doors are wide open now.”

◗ That new name in the program is not a new rider. Apprentice jockey Assael Espinoza is now going by his given name, rather than the nickname Asa, which he used when he started his career.

◗ Mubtaahij, who missed the San Diego Handicap on July 21 after spiking a temperature, got back on the work tab on Tuesday when he went a half-mile in 49 seconds. He was second in the Lone Star Park Handicap in his last start on May 27, his lone race since finishing third in the Dubai World Cup two months earlier.