Fingers crossed, races will stay on turf

ARCADIA, Calif. – In this wet California winter, it is news when the Santa Anita main track opens for training. Even when it opens only partway.

The latest storm subsided midweek and Santa Anita reopened the track – joggers only – on Wednesday. The track was closed entirely Monday and Tuesday. During rain and track closures, the only exercise horses typically get is walking the shed row.

The effect of interrupted training is one variable when racing resumes Friday. Another is the condition of a turf course saturated this week by three inches of rain. Thankfully, considering four turf races are scheduled Friday, the Santa Anita course handles rain very well.

Racing secretary Jason Egan anticipates Friday will go as scheduled.

“If we get the sun to break through, which it looks like it’s trying to do [Wednesday], and it’s supposed to be warmer and sunny [Thursday], I would think we would be on turf. Most likely it will have some give in it.”

The course is expected to be listed as good on Friday, which jockeys say is fine.

“The riders, when we do get some rain, tend to like it with a little bit of give in it,” Egan said.

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Friday’s resumption of racing follows the cancellation of Monday’s holiday card due to rain, and cancellation of the $100,000 Tiznow Stakes that day because of insufficient entries. The California-bred dirt mile had only three confirmed starters, including The Chosen Vron and Kings River Knight.

The track was likely to open Friday for full training, with a mostly favorable forecast next week. Four graded stakes will be run March 2, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap and Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on turf.

The only hiccup is a chance of light rain early in the week.

“It looks like we’re in the clear through the weekend” of Feb. 24-25, Egan said. “Monday we might see a little bit of rain, but it doesn’t look too significant.”

The first turf race Friday is a California-bred maiden mile that would be a shot at redemption for Be Punctual, though he is not a confirmed starter. Be Punctual was on his way to victory in a similar turf mile last out until he took a right-hand turn in the stretch.

“He looked to me, turning for home, like he was going to win for fun,” trainer Ed Freeman said. “But as soon as he made the lead, he went out. He has plenty of ability, but he is a knucklehead.”

Be Punctual will be tough if he starts, otherwise the race is wide open. The field includes 10-start maiden Maxville and Antibes.

Race 4 is an entry-level allowance sprint for 3-year-old fillies. Tambo stumbled badly and finished third last out in the Grade 3 Santa Ynez; Don’t Bring Crazy finished second. Dua, graded stakes-placed last year, makes her first start of the year.

Race 8 is a California-bred allowance/optional-claiming sprint for fillies and mares. Five-time winner Wishtheyallcouldbe, entered for the $20,000 claim tag, faces last-out maiden winner Eltonsingsanother.

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