Hammersly's preview: Grass the key on card
There are three grass races on the card on which you can key not only plays for those races but also for your multi-race wagers.
Yes Yes Yes (race 3) may be ready to bust through in this mile straight-maiden event. The son of City Zip has shown talent. He was sidelined eight months before returning to run third down the hill June 22 at Santa Anita. He came here July 26 for a grass route, stalked the pace, made a smart run to grab the lead in mid-stretch but couldn’t fend off the promising Grachus the Hunter. He looks ready under Joe Talamo.
She’s Complete (race 6) is a maiden facing winners in the Juvenile Fillies Turf at a mile, but don’t let that deter you from using her. The Doug O’Neill-trained 2-year-old filly, a daughter of multiple European Group 1 grass winner Oratorio, showed ability when a sharp second on turf June 7 in Ireland. She came to the U.S., and in her first start at a mile on the main track, she was slow into stride, very wide into the lane, but finished strongly to be second. That shows talent, it shows she’s acclimated, and it shows a mile is right up her alley. The move to turf may be the icing on the cake.
Stormy Lucy (race 9) was at one point earlier this year probably the top turf distaffer on the West Coast. Wins in Santa Anita’s Grade 2 Santa Ana and Grade 3 Santa Barbara earned her such bragging rights. Alas, things didn’t stay that way as she then was fourth in the Grade 1 Gamely there May 26 and a dull seventh in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine there June 28, and you had every right to wonder if she’d had her 15 minutes.
However, trainer Ed Moger Jr. still believed, enough to keep her in the deep water as he ran her in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee here Aug. 10. She bided her time and came with a nice run, finishing a solid fourth, beaten just two lengths. It hinted at a return to her earlier form.
Well, the best news is not only does Moger keep her at such a high level, but she’s reunited with Rafael Bejarano. It was Bejarano who found the key to her earlier this year. It was Bejarano who was aboard for those two big aforementioned Santa Anita wins, and it’s the only two times he’s teamed with her, too. With his return to the saddle and a sign from her in the Mabee that she may be returning to top form, she certainly merits much respect.
Making the most of a short price
Bob Baffert entered Tiz Midnight in Sunday’s Tranquility Lake, placement she surely deserves after a smashing maiden win at Santa Anita June 14 and a game win over some tough winners (in her first try against winners) over this track Aug. 2. However, the notion of facing the Grade 1-placed Broken Sword and some other toughies in the Tranquility Lake had Baffert looking at his options, and lo and behold, up popped an opportunity Monday – and strong optional claimer at a mile on the main track (race 5).
It’s strong, yes. After all, the multiple Grade 1-placed My Happy Face is in the line-up, as is the been-knocking-on-the-door Lady Asano. But overall, it’s a softer spot than the Tranquility Lake. She figures as the favorite in this spot off those two aforementioned wins and has worked splendidly three times since Aug. 2, but her presence here may provide you with a solid single for your multi-race wagers involving race 5.
Spot play
Race 8 – CRAVING CARATS (#9, 10-1) bided his time early in a tough mile turf event here Aug. 16, made a threatening run into the lane, but couldn’t keep pace with the leaders, finishing sixth. However, he was beaten just 2 3/4 lengths, so he was in no way disgraced. Also, that was his first run in nearly six months, so you can certainly reason he needed the outing. Well, now he has that under his belt, drops for a trainer (Miller) who’s in the middle of the training title fight, and keeps Victor. Also, while he was off the board in his only prior synthetic try, that came quite a while ago. He’s a better horse now than he was then, and some strong turf form bodes well for handling this track. Best of all, he’s going to be ignored at the windows.
Horse to watch
LADY DANGER
Trainer: Dave Bernstein
Last Race: Aug. 30, 1st
Finish: 4th by 6
Had a slow and troubled start from the rail in this expensive maiden claimer ($80,000) to be last early. To her credit, she steadily advanced and kept to her task well, and while no threat, it still was an encouraging effort. With a better start (and maybe a drop in price?), she can be true to her name next time.