Free's review: Heat flashes takes advantage of turf change

The surfaces are changing at Santa Anita – turf and dirt.

Track officials were aware the turf course had become excessively fast and speed-favoring. The track took action this week. It announced the change on its website, along with scratches and changes:

“Due to excessive heat, the Santa Anita turf course has undergone a deep-aeration process with new equipment and has a significantly increased watering schedule.”

There you have it. The turf course has been fully aerated and is likely to slow down. It also figures to be less speed-favoring. The first indication was in race 7 Friday. Heat Flash ($17.40) rallied from farther off the pace than any turf-sprint winner since the start of the winter meet Dec. 26.

Heat Flash was last early, more than 10 lengths behind the pacesetter. He was still last after a half-mile, more than seven lengths back. In the stretch, under a clever ride from Brice Blanc, Heat Flash rallied inside and won going away.

Yes, the turf course changed, for one sprint at least. The only two-turn grass race Friday was won by favorite Redressthebalance ($4.20), who pressed her way to victory in race 4 at one mile.

The dirt surface at Santa Anita will be replaced, presumably after the meet ends June 29. An announcement by the track has not been made, but a steady stream of trucks have been arriving, dumping dirt onto a growing mound on the infield parking lot.

The new dirt is from an excavation project in the vicinity of Los Angeles International Airport. The renovation/replacement of the Santa Anita dirt track is expected to take place when the circuit moves to Los Alamitos and Del Mar in July.

Baby race review

The buzz was right about first-time starter Kristi’s Copilot, a 2-year-old colt sired by Lucky Pulpit and trained by Art Sherman. Is he another Derby winner? Exactly one year ago today (May 17, 2013), Sherman won a 2-year-old maiden race with California Chrome.

Kristi’s Pilot ($3.40) was hammered from 7-2, broke running under Aaron Gryder, chased the pace, made the lead off the turn, and won by two lengths in a sharp 51.84 seconds. He earned a 73 Beyer Speed Figure, 10 points higher than California Chrome earned in his maiden win.

Player’s Charm, the longest shot and the only starter to race previously, finished second. First-time starter Sir Awesome finished third while wanting more ground. He makes the Horses to Watch list (see below).

Dream claim

Seeking the Sherif was to be auctioned in a January dispersal sale, but on Dec. 28, the gelding entered a restricted $12,500 claiming race at Santa Anita. Ron Ellis claimed him from the race, which he won. He was withdrawn from the sale and never looked back.

Seeking the Sherif ($5 second choice) won his third straight Friday in race 2, a second-level allowance he wired by three-quarters of a length over even-money favorite Declassify. Since being claimed for $12,500, Seeking the Sherif has earned $92,800.

“He’s a great little horse, and he’s been a dream claim,” Ellis told Santa Anita publicity. “He’s a dream to train, and we’ll just take our time and try to figure out what to do next.”

Seeking the Sherif is owned by Tim Goodwin, Steven Zolatas, and Sabina Romo-Zolatas. The Beyer Speed Figure for Seeking the Sherif came back at 102.

Declassify was second best, 4 1/4 lengths in front of Omega Star. The comebacker Holy Lute pulled hard while unrelaxed behind the slow first quarter-mile (22.42) and retreated in the lane. It was a disappointing comeback.

Claiming claimers

Prime Issue was 7-2 on the morning line in a six-horse field of $25,000 claimers that was race 3. Nobody liked him. He started at 14.60-1 and won by a length. Prime Issue ($31.20) was claimed by Jerry Hollendorfer in a two-way shake. He earned an 84 Beyer.

Dress Code finished a disappointing fifth as the favorite; he was re-claimed by Robertino Diodoro. Teaks North, a two-time Grade 1 winner in 2011 (Gulfstream Park Handicap, United Nations Stakes), has sunk all the way to $25,000 claiming.

Teaks North made an extended run coming off the turn, had dead aim, but hung late and finished second. He was claimed by Mike Puype in a three-way shake, but the claim reportedly was voided. Teaks North goes back to Eric Guillot.

Two pros for Diodoro

Carbonite has been around the block a time or two. The 8-year-old former stakes winner made his 36th start in race 6, a $10,000 claiming sprint he won by a nose for trainer Diodoro. Carbonite, winner of the Governor’s Cup at Fairplex Park in 2011 and the Pink Ribbon Invitational at Stockton in 2010, has won 13 races and $430,122.

Prior to the victory by Carbonite, Diodoro said Broadway Empire, a better-than-looked fourth last out in the Churchill Downs Handicap, would make his next start June 7 in the Met Mile at Belmont Park. Broadway Empire, winner of the Oklahoma Derby and Canadian Derby last year, has won five races and $439,491 from 10 starts.

Pick six

Only one horse in the final race was covered in the pick six. First-time starter Getaway Keys backed up, and Rich in Tradition won the $20,000 maiden claimer by more than five lengths in the 28th start of his career.

The carryover into Saturday was $52,534.

Horses to watch

SIR AWESOME
Trainer: Gary Sherlock
Last race: May 16, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 4 1/2
Beyer: 57

Four and one-half furlongs was too short for this 2-year-old first-timer. He was one-paced most of the race and galloped out in front of the field, crying for more ground. The California-bred son of Awesome Gambler can win at a longer distance.