Ghetto exits key stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - The Eddie Logan Stakes on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 29 has become a productive race, a trend trainer Craig Dollase hopes will continue when he starts Ghetto in a $57,000 allowance race at Santa Anita on Friday.

Ghetto finished fourth in the Logan, three lengths behind Yankee Bravo, who scored an impressive win in the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields last Sunday. Sky Cape, the runner-up in the Logan, returned to win an optional claimer at Santa Anita on Jan. 17.

Friday's one-mile allowance race is Ghetto's second start in the United States and his first start on a synthetic track in this country. If Ghetto wins Friday, he could make his next start in a Triple Crown prep, Dollase said.

"If he runs well on it, it will open up options for us," Dollase said. "Hopefully, he'll take to the track."

Owned by the partnership of A&R Stables and Class Racing Stables, Ghetto was third on a synthetic track in England last October, the only time he has not started on turf. In the Logan, Ghetto was within 1 3/4 lengths of the leaders at the quarter pole, but could not close ground in the final furlong.

"He had a little bit of trouble in that race at the top of the stretch," Dollase said.

Ghetto is part of a seven-horse field in Friday's race and is the only runner that started in a stakes in his last race. Dr. Au Jus, seventh in the Eddie Logan, made a quick return to finish second to the promising Signature Move in an allowance race on Jan. 4.

Sassou is making his second start of the year. Trained by Jean-Pierrre Dupuis, Sassou was second by a nose in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields on Jan. 4. The colt has finished first or second in four starts.

Three starters won maiden races in their last races - King of the City, Bazoom, and Limestone Edge.

King of the City beat California-breds on Jan. 3, his second start and first at a mile. He returned to work well at Hollywood Park on Jan. 18, running five furlongs in 58.40 seconds, the best of 27 recorded works at the distance. Bazoom beat maiden claimers in a one-mile race on Jan. 1.

Limestone Edge has not started since winning a maiden race Nov. 2 and may need the start, according to trainer Bob Hess Jr.

"He'll probably need the race and this isn't our goal," he said.