Heat facing winners in Thursday turf sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. – Heat needed 18 races to win, finally beating maidens on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on April 2.

“The light went on with him,” trainer Tim Yakteen said Sunday.

A 5-year-old gelding, Heat will race against winners for the first time in an optional claimer for California-breds on the hillside turf course in Thursday’s fifth race. The race, at about 6 1/2 furlongs, has a purse of $56,000 and is the most lucrative of eight races on Thursday’s card, which has a carryover of $181,787 in the single-ticket jackpot portion of the pick six.

Heat may have an advantage with his recent starts. Two other contenders – Hot Ore and Over Par – are returning from layoffs.

KEY CONTENDERS

Heat, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 89-76-79

◗ Yakteen has trained Heat since the gelding returned to racing after a nine-month break late last year. Heat was trained by Barry Abrams last year prior to his retirement from training.

◗ For Yakteen, Heat was seventh in a one-mile maiden race on dirt in January, followed by two seconds on turf in February and the recent win. On April 2, Heat closed from fourth in a field of six to win by a half-length over Tina’s Exchange.

“He came out of his race in good shape,” Yakteen said. “We’re excited.”

◗ Heat will be ridden by Corey Nakatani, who has been aboard for all four starts this year. Nakatani is likely to have Heat near expected pacesetter A New Trend.

Over Par, by Square Eddie
Last 3 Beyers: 84-80-79

◗ Over Par has not raced since finishing second by a half-length against a similar field in a one-mile turf race at Del Mar last November. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Over Par has won once in 13 starts, a maiden race at Del Mar in July 2015.

◗ Over Par was seventh in the California Flag Handicap in October 2015, his most recent start on the hillside turf course. The distance of Thursday’s race is a concern for O’Neill.

“I think it’s a little short for him, but he’s ready to run,” O’Neill said.

Hot Ore, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 51-77-66

◗ Hot Ore has not raced in 14 months since finishing last of four in the Baffle Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs in February 2016.

“He had a few minor things,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said of the absence.

◗ Hot Ore won a maiden race on turf here in June 2015 but lost his next four starts, all in stakes. He was second in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf in September 2015.

◗ Diodoro, who won the richest race of his career in the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap last Saturday, said Hot Ore has trained well of late, but that the stable has modest expectations for Thursday.

“He might need a race,” Diodoro said.

◗ Hot Ore has worked steadily but not quickly in the last month.