Fancy firsters in Los Alamitos maiden race

Among them, Freemark, Just Been Jammin, and Best Picture were purchased for a combined $1.3 million at yearling and 2-year-old in-training sales in the last 15 months. They represent a formidable team of first-time starters for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos on Friday.

Among their six rivals is Lord Walton, a colt purchased for just $35,000 as a yearling who has Hall of Fame connections through jockey Mike Smith and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. A first-time starter, Lord Walton was entered in a maiden race at Del Mar last Sunday, but scratched in favor of this race.

Pete’s Play Call, a first-time starter trained by Mark Glatt, has shown quick workouts at Santa Anita.

The maiden race is the sixth race on an eight-race program at Los Alamitos which begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Freemark

 By Smart Strike, Freemark was purchased for $800,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s sale of 2-year-olds in training sale last March.

 Freemark, who is owned by Stonestreet Stable, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier, has drawn the rail for this race and has worked steadily since late July.

 The colt is a half-brother to Mufajaah, who won the Grade 3 Bayakoa Handicap at Oaklawn Park earlier this year and has earned $267,140. Freemark is out of Carolyn’s Cat, who won 4 of 11 starts and $307,415 in a career highlighted by a win in the Grade 2 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park in 2009.

 Jockey Martin Garcia, closely allied with Baffert, has the mount.

Just Been Jammin

 Just Been Jammin, owned by Zayat Stables, is by Giant’s Causeway and was bought for $200,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale in 2014.

 Just Been Jammin has been in steady training since early July.

 The colt is a half-brother to Hilda’s Passion, who won the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga in 2011 in her final start.

Best Picture

 Owned by Gary and Mary West, Best Picture was purchased for $300,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale.

 By Harlan’s Holiday, Best Picture is out of Song of Sixpence, who was winless in eight starts. Song of Sixpence is a half-sister to two stakes winners – Much Obliged, who earned $422,371, and Bedanken, who won 10 stakes and earned $539,639.

Lord Walton

 Lord Walton has drawn the outside post.

 Owned by Mark Dedomenico, Lord Walton has been based with Hollendorfer’s stable at Los Alamitos through the fall, and has recorded several quick works, including five furlongs from the gate in 58.80 seconds on Nov. 27.

 “We’re hopeful he’ll run a good race,” Hollendorfer said. “I think it’s better we waited. We think he can run short.”