Free's review: Oh, baby!

The racing action last week was focused mostly on Kentucky, but there was plenty going on at Santa Anita. Below are a few highlights from May 1-4.

Thursday, May 1

FAST BABY

Santa Anita schedules 2-year-old races at 4 1/2 furlongs now that Hollywood Park is closed, and it only took a pair of baby races to see something special.

First-time starter Wake Up Nick ($3) got hammered by bettors, and came out firing in race 1, setting a track record. The California-bred son of the late stallion Cindago won by 9 1/4 lengths in 51.22 seconds, good for a 71 Beyer and favoritism for the $125,000 Santa Anita Juvenile at 5 1/2 furlongs June 22. Doug O’Neill trains, Mario Gutierrez rode. The runner-up was London Legacy.

The long-term significance of the 2-year-old statebred maiden race probably is minimal, but the same thing could have been said a year ago in the first 2013 race for 2-year-old statebred maidens. It was the second race April 26 at Hollywood Park, a 4 1/2-furlong race won by Time for a Hug. The runner-up was a chestnut colt making his debut. You may have heard his name – California Chrome.

Friday, May 2

MILE TURF PROFILE

Deep closers do not win mile turf races often, yet the course is not truly speed-biased. A more accurate description is “speed friendly.” In race 2, Hobbits Hero ($4.20) stretched out from a sprint, sat third behind the pace, and booted clear to win the one-mile turf race for $50,000 claiming 3-year-olds.

From April 12 through May 4, every turf-mile winner was positioned within 1 1/2 lengths of the lead at the quarter pole. There were 17 turf miles during that period.

One could dispute the “not truly speed-biased” comment after watching race 8. Lilbourne Eliza ($8) raced the opening half-mile in 45.27, six furlongs in 1:09.33, and was gone.

MAIDEN NO MORE

Rprettyboyfloyd was among the most talented 3-year-old maidens during the winter meet. He finished second to Bayern in a maiden race, third to Kobe’s Back in a Grade 3, and chased California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby.

The Denise Breuer trainee returned to the maiden ranks for his seventh start in race 3, and ran the race of his career. He won by a half-length in a quick 1:42.52 for 1 1/16 miles and earned a 92 Beyer. If he runs next in the Grade 3 Affirmed on June 7, you’d have to like his chances.

And just for the sake of getting too far ahead, if Rprettyboyfloyd runs well in the Affirmed, you’d have to give him a shot July 6 at Los Alamitos when the track hosts the Grade 2, $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles.

Saturday, May 3

FIRST OFF THE CLAIM(S)

Bettors need to pay closer attention to claims made by George Papaprodromou. He won a $1.5 million race last month at Charles Town with $50,000 claim Imperative, and struck again in race 3 with first-off-the-claim My Monet.

Up in class following a sharp debut victory in a maiden-40, My Monet ($7.80) crushed starter allowance foes by more than three lengths in 1:09.52 for six furlongs. She earned an 89 Beyer and will be competitive in a first-level allowance for California-breds.

Another guy doing well first off the claim is Robertino Diodoro, whose FOC record at Santa Anita since Dec. 26 is 4 for 16. Diodoro struck again in race 5, with Closet E ($17.20). The gelding previously won a maiden-30 in his first start for Diodoro, and continued his ascent with a sharp starter-allowance route win that earned an 88 Beyer.

OLDER MALE

Fury Kapcori was a Kentucky Derby candidate into winter 2013, based on his runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Hollywood Futurity. But he got hurt, was sidelined, and did not return until summer. After six starts, he finally returned to form. The wait was worth it.

Fury Kapcori ($2.80) won his fourth consecutive race in the Grade 3 Precisionist Stakes, race 10 at 1 1/16 miles. He led gate to wire, earned a 103 Beyer, and is expected to start favored May 31 in the Grade 2 Californian at 1 1/8 miles. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Fury Kapcori had little behind him in the Precisionist. But he ran fast.

Sunday, May 4

FAST COMEBACK

Chasintheaces had not started in 16 months. Bob Baffert comebackers are usually ready, and Chasintheaces ($8.40) romped by more than six lengths in race 2. His final time of 1:15.27 for 6 1/2 furlongs earned a 92 Beyer and favoritism in a first-level allowance sprint.

TOP TURF FILLY

Nashoba’s Gold and Diversy Harbor were fashioning a neat rivalry, having traded two decisions earlier in the winter meet. But the rivalry between the 3-year-old grass fillies is over; Nashoba’s Key is a better filly. Bet like she could not lose, Nashoba’s Key ($3.40) won the Grade 2 Honeymoon by a length while Diversy Harbor retreated to third.

A half-sister to ill-fated Grade 1 winner Nashoba’s Key, Nashoba’s Gold has now won 3 of 4, and she will run all day. She is trained by Carla Gaines, and it will take a top filly to beat her May 31 in the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles.

Horses to Watch

YARD LINE

Trainer: Eoin Harty

Last race: May 2, 3rd

Finish: 2nd by 1/2

Beyer: 95

Making his first start around two turns and just his third start overall, this 3-year-old maiden colt ran a winning race while finishing more than three lengths clear of third. Looks like a low-odds standout next time.

WICKED HEAT

Trainer: Melody Conlon

Last race: May 1, 2nd

Finish: 2nd by 3/4

Beyer: 69

This maiden-30 was claimed by Conlon (from Ted H. West) for gambling owner John Liviakis. The gelding will not need much improvement to defeat similar.

CHRISTOPHER STREET

Trainer: John Sadler

Last race: May 1, 3rd

Finish: 3rd by 4 1/4

Beyer: 82

He lost this N1X turf route as the favorite, but was compromised by the race shape. The speed held, he rallied from far back to finish third. He can make amends in a shorter race that unfolds at a quicker pace.