Got Even seeks third consecutive win in feature

CYPRESS, Calif. – Got Even has been a reliable older gelding for trainer Peter Miller this year, recording consecutive wins this fall in optional claimers.

Donworth was claimed for $40,000 by Miller on Nov. 3 at Del Mar from a 10th-place finish, the first time the stakes winner appeared in a claiming race.

Got Even will be well backed to win his third consecutive race in a first-level allowance with a $40,000 claiming option at a mile Thursday at Los Alamitos. Donworth is in the same race, in his first start for Miller.

They are part of a field of eight that includes Sheer Flattery, who was beaten a nose by Got Even on Nov. 12 at Del Mar, as well as two maidens.

The optional claimer is the seventh race on an eight-race program that begins at 1 p.m. Pacific. There is a carryover of $33,091 in the pick six, which is likely to attract a pool of $125,000 in new money. The pick six is the third through eighth races.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Got Even, by Stephen Got Even
Last 3 Beyers: 87-87-75

◗ An 8-year-old, Got Even led in most of his recent starts. He won an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles by 2 1/4 lengths Oct. 14 at Santa Anita and prevailed by a nose Nov. 12 at Del Mar. For Thursday’s race, Got Even drew the rail.

“He’s got one way to go,” Miller said. “We’ll send him.”

◗ Miller bought Got Even for $14,000 at Barretts in 2010 as a yearling and has trained him for 50 of his 59 starts. Earlier this year, Got Even was third in the Thor’s Echo Handicap for California-breds at Santa Anita.

Image of Joplin, by Southern Image
Last 3 Beyers: 89-83-76

◗ Image of Joplin can threaten Got Even’s early lead, or may race as a stalker. Trained by Bill Spawr, Image of Joplin won two one-mile races at the Santa Anita autumn meeting – a $16,000 claimer Sept. 29 from the front and a starter handicap from a stalking position Oct. 27.

◗ Image of Joplin has been popular in the stables. The 6-year-old gelding has been claimed in four of his last seven starts.

Donworth, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 64-75-68

◗ Donworth was seventh in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August and seventh in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita in September. On Nov. 3, Donworth was 10th of 12 in a seven-furlong race. Since then, Donworth has had three workouts at the San Luis Rey Downs training center.

◗ With Donworth’s poor recent form, Miller admits Thursday’s race will be a learning experience.

“He didn’t run well in his last start,” he said. “He’s training okay, decent. We don’t know what to expect. We’re rolling the dice.”

Sheer Flattery, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 87-82-76

◗ Sheer Flattery is winless in six starts since a maiden race for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita last December. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer cautioned Sunday that Sheer Flattery is not a certain runner and could be withdrawn in favor of a similar race at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting that begins Dec. 26.

“I don’t know if he’ll run or not,” Hollendorfer said.

◗ If he does start, Sheer Flattery would be the only mount of the day for jockey Mike Smith.