Interesting maiden race kicks off Santa Anita card

ARCADIA, Calif. – Thunder Code, third at Del Mar on Aug. 31 in his debut, and the intriguing first-time starters Great Power and Heros Reward are part of a field of seven in a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs in Sunday’s first race at Santa Anita.

Thunder Code was beaten four lengths by American Theorem in a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs after being steadied in the stretch.

“He could have been second,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “I think so. As he goes on, he’ll improve.”

Great Power, by Blame, has worked well for trainer Simon Callaghan, and will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Great Power is one of four first-time starters in the field.

“We really like him,” Callaghan said. “I don’t know if he’ll win first time. I think he’ll be better down the road.”

Heros Reward, purchased for $450,000 as a yearling, has worked well through September for trainer Bob Baffert. The colt is out of Vuitton, a two-time stakes winner.