Impressive maiden winner Septembersixtyfour stuck outside

ARCADIA, Calif. – No one wants the outside post in a two-turn turf mile. Unfortunately, that is where impressive maiden winner Septembersixtyfour is stuck in the featured seventh race Friday at Santa Anita.

“I’m never thrilled about the nine-hole with a 30-foot rail” setting, trainer Mike Puype said. “If I was inside and saving ground and could get any trip I want, I’d feel more comfortable. But it doesn’t mean he can’t overcome it.”

Septembersixtyfour breaks from post 9 in the entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds, the gelding’s first start after a sharp maiden win racing five furlongs on turf at Del Mar. The dilemma Friday – what price is fair for a last-start maiden sprint winner who might be a good horse?

“He’s a very good horse,” Puype stated.

Septembersixtyfour will have to be good to overcome the post against an evenly matched field. If his starting price is close to his 5-1 morning line, many bettors may accept the risk. If not, there are plenty of others from which to choose.

Maaz drops into an age-restricted race after misfiring against older in a turf marathon; Tariff won four of his last five in claiming races; front-runner Broski is 7-2 program favorite, which seems short even though he finished in the money in all six starts at Santa Anita.

Notwithstanding the draw, one could argue Septembersixtyfour is the most likely winner. Owned and bred by Steve Gasparelli, Septembersixtyfour is making just his third start after beginning his career in turf sprints at Del Mar.

“The first time I ran him, he didn’t break good, he was kind was green, and he needed the start,” Puype said.

Septembersixtyfour finished fifth. It was a different story second time out. He was more focused and more professional. Septembersixtyfour tucked third on the rail, angled out, and won by 1 3/4 lengths. It was a visually impressive win by an Omaha Beach gelding who should relish two turns.

“I never felt he was a five-furlong horse by any means,” Puype said.

Omaha Beach progeny can do anything; Septembersixtyfour’s dam was a router. Kazushi Kimura rides the gelding, whose wide draw probably seems worse than it actually is.

The past decade at Santa Anita, post 9 produced 10 percent winners at a mile on turf. Not bad considering the highest win rate from any post at a mile on turf is 13 percent.

Bettors unsure about Septembersixtyfour may gravitate to late-runner Maaz. Michael McCarthy trains the import, whose improving form is somewhat hidden. He finished fifth in an allowance in his U.S. debut and fourth in a stakes at Del Mar. Last out, he had a wide trip against older and finished last while beaten only 5 1/2 lengths. Ricky Gonzalez rides Maaz, whose closing style is fine even with the turf rails at the outermost setting.

The past five autumn meets at Santa Anita, two-thirds of rails-at-30-feet turf miles were won from the middle or back of the field.