Hay Dude prepped and ready
DEL MAR, Calif. – Hay Dude had been off for nearly a year when he made his United States debut last month at Santa Anita. Sent off at 9-5, he ran like a short horse, attending a lively pace and then tiring to finish fourth of eight runners.
He had trained well going into that race, hence his short price. But the race had to do him a world of good, and his trainer, Phil D’Amato, is expecting an improved performance at Del Mar on Thursday when Hay Dude starts in the featured seventh race, an optional claimer at one mile on turf with a purse of $65,000.
“I think he should be a much-fitter horse second time out,” D’Amato said. “Hopefully this will be a confidence builder for him.”
Hay Dude has worked twice since that race. He also will have a new jockey in Kent Desormeaux, who replaces Joe Talamo.
“I want him to be patient, come with a run,” D’Amato said.
Hay Dude drew post 4 in the field of eight. To prevail, he will have to beat the likes of Betty’s Bambino, who is seeking his third straight win, and Mega Heat, an old pro who has won eight races, and is the lone horse in this field eligible to be claimed.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Hay Dude. Trainer Phil D’Amato is 9-4-1-2 with a $7.17 ROI over the past year in turf routes in the second start following a layoff. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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KEY CONTENDERS
Hay Dude (Beyer: 79)
◗ He was group stakes-placed in Great Britain before coming here, so there’s a bit of back class.
◗ D’Amato said Hay Dude’s last two works were “lights out.”
Betty’s Bambino (Last 3 Beyers: 92-89-86)
◗ He won a pair of downhill turf sprints at Santa Anita during the fall meeting and now tries to stretch out around two turns, a task at which he failed when third here during the summer.
◗ The rails are scheduled to be set 24 feet from their innermost setting on Thursday, a position that often favors horses with early speed, like Betty’s Bambino, and compromises late runners.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Betty's Bambino. Trainer Peter Eurton is 30-2-4-5 with a $0.57 ROI over the past two years going sprint to route on turf. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Mega Heat (Last 3 Beyers: 84-88-82)
◗ He might not be quite as sharp as he was earlier in his career, but dismiss him at your peril, for he loves to win races.
◗ He is a perfect entrymate for Betty’s Bambino. Both are owned by similar partnerships and trained by Pete Eurton, but they have contrasting running styles.
Super Ability (Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-90)
◗ This is the horse Talamo wound up on, and he takes over for Martin Garcia, who had to choose between this horse and Betty’s Bambino.
◗ Super Ability won at one level below this during the summer when he was able to set a moderate pace and kick clear.
◗ The course profile, with the rails out, will help him as he stretches out from a sprint, as will his inside draw, but he will have company up front this time with Betty’s Bambino also stretching out.