Fibonacci sequence: Win allowance on Friday, then step up to stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Derbies are everywhere in spring, but a derby in summer would be just fine for the rapidly developing 3-year-old turf horse Fibonacci, if he is good enough.

Trainer Richard Baltas believes Fibonacci is plenty good enough after his eye-catching maiden victory last month.

“Super impressive,” Baltas said. “I think he is a really good horse.”

Fibonacci has much to prove, having raced just three times. But the manner in which he crushed maidens, winning by 3 1/2 lengths with a burst of late speed, suggests Baltas has reason to be excited about the summer turf program in California.

“I’m looking toward the Del Mar series – the Oceanside, La Jolla, and Del Mar Derby,” Baltas said.

Friday at Santa Anita, Fibonacci might be a single in race 4, first leg of the pick six on a nine-race card. Based on his flashy maiden win, Fibonacci will be strongly backed in the allowance for 3-year-olds at the same 1 1/8-mile distance as his maiden win.

A field of eight entered. Others include Kylemore, a two-time allowance runner-up; Buckstopper Kit, fourth in a stakes race last out; and Continental Divide, a slowly developing California-bred by Animal Kingdom.

The fourth race is one of three allowance races Friday, each with a clear-cut favorite.

Race 6 is an entry-level turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies in which Out of the Flames will be strongly backed based on her close third in a turf sprint stakes last out.

Race 8 is a second-level allowance sprint on dirt. The 5-year-old Ten Blessings will be one of the day’s shortest prices based on a promising runner-up comeback at the same seven-furlong distance he runs Friday and triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures prior to his layoff.

The most exciting entrant Friday is Fibonacci, a son of Artie Schiller who debuted in a Del Mar maiden turf mile in September. Despite seemingly ordinary works, the 2-year-old was bet to favoritism. He ran fairly well to finish fourth by three lengths. He worked twice afterward, but Baltas backed off.

“He’s a big colt, he was a little immature, and we gave him a little time,” Baltas said. “He jogged for 30 days.”

Fibonacci resumed workouts in early December, finished second in his Jan. 28 comeback under new rider Brice Blanc, then exploded Feb. 24. He tucked into a perfect trip saving ground, waited for room into the lane, found a seam between runners, and was gone.

Baltas did not rule out a start at Churchill Downs or Arlington, but his focus for Fibonacci is summer at Del Mar, assuming he continues to progress. His first major test is Friday at the most predictable distance of the Santa Anita winter-spring meet. Favorites are 13 for 18 in turf races at 1 1/8 miles.