Gouyen gets first-time blinkers in optional-claiming feature
ARCADIA, Calif. – Gouyen took the lead in the stretch of an optional claimer on Santa Anita's hillside turf course March 26 and thought she had finished her job.
“As soon as she got in front, she got to waiting,” trainer Mark Glatt said Wednesday.
Changes have been made to avoid a repeat in Friday’s fifth race, an optional claimer on the hillside turf course for California-bred fillies and mares. Gouyen will be fitted with blinkers for the first time.
“We hope that will get her to run through the lane a little stronger,” Glatt said.
Santiago Gonzalez will ride Gouyen, a 4-year-old filly purchased for just $14,000 at the 2012 Barretts October yearling sale. She races for Mike Moran and his sons Mike and Joe.
Gouyen has speed, and Glatt expects Gonzalez to utilize that.
“With the blinkers on, we have to expect she’ll be quick,” Glatt said. “The others would be making a mistake if they try to go with her.”
The others include Chaulk O Lattey, a maiden-race winner March 15; Sidepocket Run, who won a starter allowance on the hillside March 29; and Desert Steel, who was fourth in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course April 9.
Richard Baltas starts Chaulk O Lattey and Tale of Papa Nick, who won a maiden race on the hillside Feb. 26 but was sixth in an allowance race at a mile on turf March 19.