Free’s review: Belvoir stays hot

Hot Trainer
Vann Belvoir continues to hold a hot hand. Parada ($3.60) won race 1 Friday at Santa Anita, a restricted claiming race for fillies and mares. It was Belvoir’s fourth winner from his last eight starters, and fifth of meet.

Belvoir, who is tied with for seventh in the meet standings, will try to keep the balling rolling Saturday in race 5. He starts Forin Sea, second start back from a layoff and dropping a notch from a troubled trip in his comeback.

Minding Mindfully
The minimal wagering value on race 3 favorite Mindfully (odds 9-10) was predicted by this handicapper. This handicapper also referred to Mindfully as the most probable winner on the card. Turns out, she was not.

It is difficult to stretch out successfully off a single sprint. That was the challenge facing Mindfully, a Bertrando filly going long and also switching to turf. It was too much to ask.

Mindfully did not get away well in the mile race, and trailed early. The pace was slow - 47.45 and 1:12.25. Mindfully saved ground, had to wait for room into and through the far turn, and went one-paced late. She finished third. It was a disappointing result, but only her second start. Wouldn’t give up yet on Mindfully; she has ability.

Sharp Sherif
An allowance sprint, nonwinners-of-three-other-than, was billed a match between sharp former claimer Seeking the Sherif, and graded-stakes-winning comebacker Super Ninety Nine. It was no match race; it was an exhibition.

Seeking the Sherif won by 2 3/4 lengths, and was under a hold at the wire. His final time for 6 ½ furlongs was 1:15.73, which translated to a 97 Beyer Figure. It was the colt/gelding’s fourth consecutive win. Since being claimed for $12,500 by trainer Ron Ellis in December, he has earned $130,600. There is a minor stakes out there somewhere with his name on it.

Ellis is 7 for 34 at the meet, fifth in the standings, and restocked his stable with three more claims Friday. He took race 1 winner Parada, and race 7 fourth- and fifth-place finishers Vibrato Jazz and Fighting On.

As for Super Ninety Nine, his comeback was a dud. He chased the eventual winner from second position, but retreated in the lane and finished fourth. Bob Baffert has work to do if this 2013 Derby prospect is to return to form in 2014.

Tab tote, nope
Some handicappers monitor betting action on first-time starters. If a horse is well-bet, the maiden is considered well-meant. If the betting is chilly, and the horse drifts above its morning line, it is not considered a positive factor.

But with first-time starters trained by Peter Miller, wagering action means little. Race 8 first-timer Off the Deep End was ridden by the meet’s leading jockey Joe Talamo. He was a son of terrific debut sire In Excess. And yet he was cold on the board in the maiden race for California-breds, $50,000 claiming.

It did not matter. Off the Deep End, 4-1 in the program, closed at 6.50-1, and romped by more than seven lengths in 1:03.50. He earned an 89 Beyer. It is not the first time this has happened. Miller maidens sometimes get bet, sometimes they do not. It is a non-factor with Miller.

Horses to Watch
SYNNIN
Trainer: Howard Zucker
Last race: June 6, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 8 1/2
Beyer: 65

This first-timer broke last, and went evenly late while never a threat. The son of Tribal Rule was produced by a stakes-winning turf filly, and can only improve with a clean takeoff and possibly a switch to grass.