Furioso Star solid single in pick-six carryover
ARCADIA, Calif. - Furioso Star can make things easier for pick-six bettors chasing a $93,186 carryover Thursday at Santa Anita.
Twenty days after a sharp comeback win against California-breds, Furioso Star enters as a potential single in a first-level allowance in race 6. Barring the unexpected, the 2-for-4 gelding can win right back while facing open company at 5o1/2 furlongs.
"I wasn't going to run him back this quick, but he's doing so well," trainer Bill Spawr said, citing a big workout Jan.o12 at Hollywood Park. Furioso Star worked five furlongs in 58.80 seconds, the fastest of 60 workouts.
"He actually worked a half- mile, galloped out five-eighths, and was in the middle of the track," Spawr said.
After the work, jockey Richard Migliore said to Spawr: "I never let him run."
Furioso Star earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure in winning his Dec. 28 comeback with a perfect trip, pressing the pace while racing in the clear. He figures to get a similar trip Thursday from post 9 in the nine-horse field. Fred Carrillo and Daniel Cassella own Furioso Star, a full brother to the sidelined Grade 1-winning sprinter Bordonaro.
Furioso Star's main rival is late-runner Street Boss. Bruce Headley trains Street Boss, who flipped in the paddock at Hollywood Park Dec. 1 and was scratched. Since then, Street Boss has a series of fast works. However, he is a habitual slow starter whose closing style places him at a disadvantage at 5 1/2 furlongs.
Front-runner Rudeameanie may set the pace. Storm Machine won 5 of 12 in Argentina and makes his North American debut for trainer John Sadler while compromised by the inside draw. All 11 sprints this meet at 5 1/2 furlongs have been won by a horse breaking from a post in the outer half of the field.
In race 5, well-regarded 4-year-old Union Scale makes his long-awaited debut in a six-furlong maiden race. Sadler trains the Richter Scale colt, whose 20.80-second workout at the Barretts 2006 March sale of 2-year-olds led to his $825,000 purchase. Recent works are crisp; Union Scale should come out firing under leading rider Garrett Gomez.
Race 7 is a confusing first-level allowance/optional claimer for 3-year-old turf sprinters. Stakes-placed Sky Cape may be favored while shortening up. Drewthegentleman finished third last out in a fast dirt race. Remember Boffi has won 3 of 6 starts, and entered for the $80,000 claim tag. European imports Italian Art and Ten Meropa also are entered.