Free's review: Claiming activity picks up

Friday, May 30, review

Pick six betting and red claim tags were plentiful Friday at Santa Anita. The track played slow in routes and fair. A quick review is below.

PICK SIX AND MORE

The two-day carryover of $407,077 attracted $1,805,800 in new pick six wagers. The sequence included two winning favorites; the highest payoff was $18.80 race-5 winner Serious. The 16 winning tickets each returned $85,734.40.

Hijra was sharp in her second U.S. start in race 6, a N1X turf route for fillies and mares. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, she raced three wide and burst away to win the 1 1/8-mile race by 1 1/2 lengths with an 83 Beyer Speed Figure. Visually, it would appear N2X is within reach. Nickels Wild, the second favorite, had a weird trip. Wide early, then behind the slow pace, she misfired. Nickels Wild, a single for this handicapper, finished fifth. Ugh.

The third-place finish by race-7 favorite Lemon de Oro was the most disappointing of the card. She broke well, produced no speed, raced wide, and went one-paced. Thought she was better than that. It was a puzzling non-effort at 6-5. Antiquity ran like she needed the start. Under pressure setting the pace inside, she tired late in a good prep race.

CLAIMING GAME

Claiming activity has picked up, and $10,000 claiming fillies and mares were for sale in race 1. The dominating winner was Lady Vivien for trainer David Bernstein and jockey Kent Desormeaux. She was claimed in a two-way shake by Ed Freeman and will be a threat on the raise despite the slow 1:40.14 for one mile. She earned a 68 Beyer.

Eltoninadress finished second and was claimed by Robertino Diodoro in a three-way shake; Acute goes to Jeff Mullins. Summer Dignity also was claimed, but the claim was voided when she was “off” in the left front afterward. She returns to trainer Keith Craigmyle.

In race 5, runner-up Tribal Peace and third-place Fanny Brice were claimed for $16,000. Fanny Brice had some early trouble but ran poorly. In race 8, first-time starter Itsgettinhotinhere was claimed for $50,000 off a fourth-place debut. He needs two turns.

PAMPLESPEED

Five years ago, The Pamplemousse was the fastest 3-year-old in California. But his career was short-lived – three wins in five starts and two Grade 3 wins before he retired to stud. The Pamplemousse had his first starter Friday in race 2. The 2-year-old colt Big Swag scored a 3 1/4-length win for trainer Dan Hendricks. He finished in 52.23 seconds and earned a 72 Beyer.

Odds-on favorite Lucky Logan hit a wall. He finished third by 10 lengths while appearing to spring a leak. He trained better than he ran. Have to give him another chance for Peter Miller whenever he shows up again.

Horses to Watch

ANTIQUITY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: May 30, 7th
Finish: 4th by 1 1/4
Beyer: 81
First start since last fall, this lightly raced 3-year-old filly set the pace under pressure in a N1X sprint. She tired late in a good comeback. She should move up considerably next out.

MARCYJANE
Trainer: Marty Jones
Last race: May 30, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 80
A deep closer in a race that did not set up for her late style, she rallied respectively from next-to-last. With some help up front, she deserves a look in a similar N1X. A shorter distance than 1 1/8 miles would benefit.