Free's review: Quick drop

Sunday, April 27 review

DUBIOUS DROPPER

It was suspicious when race-1 favorite Sidebar dropped to $16,000 claiming off just one subpar effort in an allowance race. It did not look right. Sure enough, she finished a distant second as the 1-2 favorite and was claimed by Mike Pender.

The claim, however, was voided when Sidebar was reported to be “off” in the right front. She goes back to trainer Bill Spawr. As for runaway winner Queen of the Hill, she earned a sky-high 90 Beyer winning her second straight while drifting out through the lane. She could be favored in the next first-level allowance for California-bred filly-mare sprinters. Doug O’Neill trains the mare and claimed from her previous start for just $8,000.

TURF SPRINT MSW

It was a disappointing fourth-place finish by favorite Sunny Kat in this maiden special weight turf sprint. His “trouble” appeared mostly self-caused due to inability to maintain position. Probably have to give him another chance; it was his first start since summer.

He is trained by John Sadler, trainer and breeder of winner Mal Verde. Mal Verde, sired by Whatsthescript, was produced by Bachelorette One, a mare Sadler trained for the late Tom Mankiewicz.

The field’s only California-bred, Mal Verde ($7.60) raced gate to wire as second choice and continued a trend – 10 of the 17 turf sprints in April were won from within a length of the lead at the first pace call. Remember when the downhill turf course produced deep-closing winners? That was fun. Only two turf sprints in April were won by deep closers.

QUESTIONABLE FORM

Julio’s Gold and Chippette both were pulled up quickly past the wire in race 3. Both were turned around and headed back to be unsaddled after galloping out less than a furlong after the wire. That usually is not good.

The race-4 favorite Gelila was on her way to be saddled when she flipped and had to be scratched 22 minutes to post. She was being slightly ignored in the betting (4-1) when it happened. Visions of Candy inherited favoritism, finished second and was vanned off afterward with an unspecified injury.

MIKE SMITH

It is fun watching a good veteran jockey ride well. Mike Smith rode good horses in back-to-back races (6-7) including first-time starter Burning Arch, who will make everyone’s horses to watch list after her super runner-up debut.

It was a downhill sprint, and Burning Arch had zero speed. But she finished like a powerhouse and galloped out super beyond the wire. A daughter of Arch, she could be a good one for trainer Marty Jones.

Smith also rode race-7 favorite Peacenik. Favored at 8-5 in the six-furlong sprint for $32,000 claimers, Peacenik had one major disadvantage – the inside draw. Smith suggested that many horses do not break well from the inside post in dirt sprints.

But in an interview afterward, Smith added, “sometimes a bad post can turn into a good post.” Peacenik, a 7-year-old, raced inside and behind horses, came outside, and won going away with a 91 Beyer. It was his 11th win from 46 starts. The veteran is in career-best form for trainer Bill Spawr. The bad post turned into a good experience, as front-runner Peacenik rallied from off the pace to win.

As for Smith, he headed to Kentucky at the top of his game. That is good news for bettors who like Hoppertunity in the Derby.

WILSHIRE REVIEW

The sharp race-8 win by East Coast shipper Parranda in the Grade 3 Wilshire flatters the Grade 2 Honey Fox run March 15 Gulfstream Park. That is the race in which Tapicat finished fifth as the favorite. Tapicat runs Saturday at Churchill Downs in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile. Honey Fox third-place finisher Effie Trinket also runs in the Turf Mile.

The win by Parranda, sixth in the Honey Fox, puts her temporarily on top of the local grass division, and her new trainer Jerry Hollendorfer will keep her busy. She was making her first start for Hollendorfer, ran well, and has a right to step up and be competitive vs. tougher.

The favorite Theatre Star was compromised by curious strategy. She hooked head-and-head with speedster Journey On, went fast and tired. Her pace rival Journey On is a one-dimensional speedster, but Theatre Star is not. Those two hooked up, and both finished off the board. Theatre Star deserves another chance. She does not need the lead.

Horses to Watch

QUEEN OF THE HILL

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Last race: April 27, 1st

Finish: 1st by 7

Beyer: 90

A veteran at the top of her game, this 5-year-old daughter of Salt Lake ran a career-best, drilling $16,000 claimers by many while drifting out late. It will be interesting where O’Neill spots her – protect her in a statebred allowance or dangle the claim tag.

BURNING ARCH

Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer

Last race: April 27, 6th

Finish: 2nd by 1

Beyer: 74

A well-bred filly making her career debut in a special-weight on the hill, she lagged far back (13 lengths), then finished with a giant rush and galloped out super. She will be a short price next time on the stretch-out. Good filly by Arch out of a good female family.