On Duty looks likely to get lead

SAN MATEO, Calif. - On Duty, a $155,000 purchase at last spring's Ocala sale, makes her first start as a 3-year-old in a $32,000 claimer for her age group at five furlongs in one of Bay Meadows's Friday night co-features. She has five rivals, including Sweet Candy, who will make her U.S. debut, and Satin Creation, who is challenging winners in her first career start.

On Duty graduated in her second start, then was no match for entrymate Quite a Rush in her first try against winners in an allowance race. She was dropped into a $25,000 claimer and won her final start as a 2-year-old.

She has been working steadily for trainer Greg Gilchrist, who wins with a decent 23 percent of his comebackers. He gave her a best-of-41 bullet drill on March 25, and she also worked five furlongs in a brisk 59 on April 8 to hone her speed. She had easier five-furlong works before and after the April 8 drill.

The five-furlong distance should work nicely for the speedster in her comeback.

On Duty seems too quick to be headed early, even by Island Adventure, who is drawn just inside her.

Girl Show, who has hit the board in all three career starts, makes her first start in nearly seven weeks. She is drawn outside and can use the post to take advantage of her stalking speed.

Earlier on the card, Blended Rhythm, claimed from a 5 1/2-length victory in her debut, meets six rivals in a $40,000 starter allowance for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

Blended Rhythm went off at

7-5 in the $20,000 claimer on March 29, stalked the pace, and pulled away in the lane. She was taken by Billy Morey, who wins 30 percent off the claim.

Blended Rhythm draws the rail and will have plenty of pace to contend with.

Feeling Joy finished second against similar at Santa Anita on Feb. 3, and makes her first start since then. She has three recent works, including six furlongs in a bullet 1:12.80 at Santa Anita a week ago, after not appearing on the tab for nearly two months.

Call Box also enters the race after being claimed from her maiden victory, but she was claimed for $8,000 and has the lowest Beyers in the field. Both of her starts at the bottom level were slow, but she closed nicely both times and could be a big price in exotics. She retains the services of Joe Castro.