Divine Spark favored off layoff in optional claimer

Divine Spark is a product of trainer Bob Baffert’s team at Los Alamitos.

The filly is based with Baffert’s assistant Mike Marlow at Los Alamitos and was second in a maiden race on that track last December. Divine Spark will run for the first time since late February in an optional claimer for California-bred fillies and mares that goes as race 7 at Los Alamitos on Friday.

Divine Spark will be favored to beat six rivals in the 5 1/2-furlong race.

:: Get firsthand workout observations for fall racing at Belmont Park

KEY CONTENDERS

Divine Spark, by Lucky Pulpit

Last 3 Beyers: 54-71-65

◗ Divine Spark beat maidens on a sealed and sloppy track at Santa Anita on Jan. 7 in her fourth start. She made one more start at the winter-spring meeting, finishing fifth in a field of seven in an optional claimer for 3-year-old California-bred fillies.

◗ Divine Spark had one workout following that race and was rested through the spring before resuming workouts in early July.

◗ Martin Garcia will have the mount on Divine Spark, a filly capable of setting the pace. Garcia has ridden Divine Spark in all five of her starts.

◗ Divine Spark was purchased for $150,000 at the 2016 Barretts May sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Adios Cali, by Adios Charlie

Last 3 Beyers: 70-72-68

◗ Adios Cali beat Divine Spark in a maiden race for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos last December, and has had a much busier 2017 than her principal rival. Adios Cali has one win in 10 starts this year, a $40,000 claimer at six furlongs in April.

◗ Adios Cali was claimed that day by trainer Steve Knapp, and is winless in six starts for him since the spring. During that span, Adios Cali has been second or third in four races. At Del Mar on Aug. 20, Adios Cali was fourth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths, in an optional claimer for California-bred fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Mizzen Glory, by Mizzen Mast

Last 3 Beyers: 62-46-70

◗ Mizzen Glory will have her first start for trainer Phil D’Amato on Friday. The filly has not raced since she finished a well-beaten fifth in an optional claimer for California-bred fillies and mares on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in May. Clifford Sise trained Mizzen Glory for her first seven starts.

“She’s a good, solid work horse,” D’Amato said on Wednesday. “I think she needed a little freshening to clear her mind mentally. I think if she runs one of her good races, I think she’s good enough to win that kind of race.

“I’ve had her a couple of months. She came in to me in good shape.”

◗ A 4-year-old, Mizzen Glory won her debut in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos last September, her only start on the track.