Distance the main question for Move Over, Jimmy Chila

ARCADIA, Calif. – Even though Move Over moves down in class Friday at Santa Anita, the featured seventh race is no easy spot for the 3-year-old colt.

Nine entered the first-level allowance/optional $75,000 claiming turf race for 3-year-olds. The 1 1/8-mile distance is the longest Move Over has tried in his 3-for-16 career, though he could be the class of the field.

Move Over is the only entrant that already won the first condition, a turf sprint in May. He subsequently finished fifth and sixth in Del Mar route stakes. Trainer John Sadler drops him in class Friday. Move Over is eligible because he entered for the optional $75,000 claim tag.

If he stays the trip, Move Over can win with Tyler Baze. A similar analysis applies to Jimmy Chila, whose sixth-place finish last out at one mile does not reflect how well he ran.

Jimmy Chila chased/pressed a fast 46.13-second opening half, challenged on the far turn, then got swallowed by the closers. Considering the pace, one could argue Jimmy Chila ran as well as the closers that finished in front of him. The second- through fifth-place finishers are back Friday – Shadow Sphinx, Magic Musketier, Risky Proposition, and Extraordinary Jerry.

Turf races at 1 1/8 miles generally unfold at a slower clip than at one mile, which is why Jimmy Chila, a presser, merits respect at the longer distance. Ron Ellis trains Jimmy Chila, whose rider is Rafael Bejarano.

Other contenders Friday include Epical and Andesh, dropping from eighth- and 10th-place finishes in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby. Kylemore enters with the highest last-start Beyer Speed Figure, an 87 he earned winning a starter allowance on dirt.

Most races Friday drew big fields, including an appealing maiden turf sprint that is race 2. Stradella Road could start favored. Front-runner Magical Gray has an upset chance over a course that was kind to speed opening week. All five turf-sprint winners, including three winning favorites, were positioned one-two early.

Races 3 and 5 Friday are the first and last legs of the Stronach 5 wager. In race 3, a $40,000 maiden-claiming race for 2-year-old fillies at one mile, front-runner Queen of the Track and late-runner Imperial Creed are the main contenders.

Race 5 is a $32,000 claiming race at a mile on turf. An easy pace scenario benefits front-runner/presser Cimpl Man. Other contenders include Northern California shipper Saxon Lord, dirt-to-turf Point Piper, and sharp veteran Secreto Primero.