Golden Gate shipper Shanghai Keely stretches out, adds blinkers

ARCADIA, Calif. – It is one thing to win at a 30-percent clip in Northern California, something altogether different to replicate the success in Southern California.

Ari Herbertson looks forward to the challenge. Based at Golden Gate, the young trainer has emerged as a force on his home circuit, where most of his 109 wins have come from just 363 starters. Not bad considering he launched his training career in late 2016.

The 28-year-old Herbertson faces a tough task Friday, on a tougher circuit. Herbertson is 2 for 31 in Southern California, a statistic that is sure to improve.

Herbertson shipped Shanghai Keely to Santa Anita early this week. The 3-year-old filly will start as a top contender Friday in the sixth-race feature, an entry-level allowance mile for 3-year-old fillies.

“I’m a little nervous,” Herbertson said, laughing. “I looked at the overnight, and saw Baltas, Baffert, and Mandella.”

Herbertson was referring to his main rivals. Richard Baltas trains Savvy Gal, whose running style suggests she can improve on dirt; Bob Baffert trains Gingham, dropping from a Grade 1; Richard Mandella trains lightly raced maiden winner Rare Find. Navy Queen also is entered.

One could argue Savvy Gal, last-out runner-up on turf, is the horse to beat. “She’s got a lot of natural speed,” Baltas said. “Her style is dirt.” Savvy Gal will be forwardly placed in her first try on dirt. Mandella-trained Rare Find set the pace last time, but the fractions were slow – 48.98 and 1:14.20. She probably will not make the lead Friday at that pace.

As for Shanghai Keely, who has won one of four, she might be worth gambling on Friday, while stretching out from a sprint and adding blinkers. The equipment change makes sense.

“It seems like in the afternoon sometimes she gets a little – I don’t know if lethargic is the right word – but she doesn’t jump into the bridle like I’d like her to,” Herbertson said. The blinkers “are to get her interested in the race a little bit more.”

Shanghai Keely has been training in blinkers ever since her third-place finish last out in a sprint stakes at Golden Gate, and Herbertson likes what he sees.

“In the morning when I train her, she gets really brave when she gets in front of a horse,” he said. “She’s really tough to pass.” Does that mean she will set the pace Friday? In a perfect world, maybe.

“Ideally, I’d like her to break good, get to the lead, and take it to them,” Herbertson said. “I don’t know if that’s going to happen. Hopefully she gets into a comfortable spot, and Tyler [Baze] gets her to relax.”