Free's review: Texas Ryano impresses

Friday, June 13, review

A claiming-race blowout and a future stakes winner were among the highlights Friday at Santa Anita.

BLOWOUT BY 17

It was not a surprise that Image of Joplin ($6) won race 2, a $16,000 claiming route. It was a surprise, however, that Image of Joplin won by a whopping 17 1/4 lengths. His final time of 1:43.77 for 1 1/16 miles translated to a 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

Apparently, two turns is what he always wanted. Image of Joplin had been stalled at the lower claiming levels until trainer Steve Miyadi stretched him out. He won a restricted claiming route May 25, followed by the Friday blowout. Matt Chew claimed the winner from Miyadi. He will be live moving up multiple levels next out.

Chew also claimed fifth-place Baranof, while Danny Velasquez claimed odds-on runner-up Runaway Que.

HOLLENDORFER JUVENILES

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer remains perfect at this meet with 2-year-olds; the margins continue to grow. His first juvenile starter was Seduire on May 22. She won by 1 1/2 lengths. Next was Heart of Paradise on June 5. She won by 2 1/2. Friday in race 4, Hollendorfer sent out his third debut juvenile of the meet, with a similar result.

Atta’ Boy Woody ($5.40) had trained slowly, but he romped by 7 3/4 lengths in 58.84 seconds. A California-bred colt by Atticus, he earned a 62 Beyer in a visually impressive win. Goyo, bet to 5-2, probably deserves another chance after a slow start. He finished sixth. Full Bird Colonel, 7-2, broke slowly again and finished third.

PICK SIX UPSET

The only crazy result in the pick six was Bound for Eden, the $62.20 winner of race 5, a one-mile turf race, maiden-40 starter allowance. It was a long time coming for trainer Walter Frazier. His most recent win was Sept. 5, 2011, at Del Mar. Since then, Frazier had gone 0 for 45.

The $2 win payoffs in the pick six races (3-8) were $5, $5.40, $62.20, $7.80, $12.60, and $5.40. Three winning favorites, a second choice, a third choice and the longshot produced a pick six return of $80,966.40.

STAR OF THE DAY

Texas Ryano uncorked the most impressive performance of the day in race 7. He won the first-level turf allowance for 3-year-olds with a huge late kick, rallying from last to win by three-quarters of a length going away in 1:46.53.

Next stop could be the Oceanside Stakes on July 17 at Del Mar. Carla Gaines trains Texas Ryano, owned by his breeder, Warren Williamson, and named after his grandson, Ryan, who attends college in Texas.

Texas Ryano’s pedigree might look familiar. A son of Curlin, he was produced by the blue-hen mare Blending Element. Her foals include stakes winners Tiz a Blend, Tiz Elemental, Holladay Road, and Excessive Blend, along with the graded stakes-placed War Element and American Blend.

Odds-on runner-up Quotient finished 3 1/2 lengths clear of third but did not return to be unsaddled. He was vanned off with an unspecified injury.

HORSES TO WATCH

GOYO
Trainer: Walther Solis
Last race: June 13, 4th
Finish: 6th by 11
Beyer: 28
This 2-year-old first-time starter was well bet at 5-2 but broke slowly from the inside post and was unable to recover. He is worth a closer look against California-bred maidens in his next start.

BROTHER SOLDIER
Trainer: Craig Dollase
Last race: June 13, 7th
Finish: 6th by 11 3/4
Beyer: 62
Cold on the board (9-1) despite a pace advantage in his first start since being gelded, this 3-year-old allowance sort is worth another chance. He was returning from a four-month layoff; the board suggested he needed the start. He might benefit from a return to dirt.