Large, quality fields show eagerness to resume racing

It’s been a long two months for horsemen and bettors without daytime racing in Southern California, and an even longer wait for the horses. More for some than others.

Santa Anita opens Friday for its first program since late March, a two-month break that pales compared to Tale of the Union’s layoff. His impressive eight-length debut victory stamped him as special. But that was summer 2018 at Del Mar, more than 20 months ago.

Bob Baffert acknowledged Tale of the Union is not cranked.

“I just want to get him running,” Baffert said. “He probably needs one more stiff work, but I’m going to throw him in going five and a half. That will set him up. I’d rather race than just keep training.”

For two months at Santa Anita, that is all horsemen have been able to do – train. Hope is racing resumes Friday.

“It’s very important we get up and running,” John Sadler said this week. “That is what we do – run. I guess everybody is kind of [crossing] their fingers.”

Sadler is loaded for the Friday reopener. Galilean holds a condition edge over Tale of the Union in the race 3 allowance; Ellie Arroway was entered in race 5, an allowance turf mile that was split. In the second division, race 8, Quick is expected to be favored on the stretch-out. Sadler also entered favorite Adens Dream in a $25,000 claiming sprint, race 6.

The nine-race card attracted 94 entries plus three also-eligibles. Racing secretary Steve Lym is happy at the field size.

“I’m happy with how our guys kept their horses fit,” Lym said. “First day back, we have a mile race, and we got 22 horses. Our guys did a helluva job keeping their horses going and ready to run.”

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The 22-entrant turf route was split; the smallest fields have nine runners. However, there were insufficient entries to fill two important races. The season’s first 2-year-old race, for California-bred maiden fillies, attracted just four entries and was scrapped. An allowance mile with candidates for the Grade 1 Gold Cup on June 6 was written back as an “extra” that Lym anticipates will be run this weekend.

In the meantime, bettors have plenty to dissect Friday.

Race 1 post time is 12:30 p.m. Pacific, and the only filly in the field is the one to beat in this entry-level allowance turf sprint for 3-year-olds. She’s So Special has won over the course, and her acceptable current form, up-front running style, and speed figures give her the advantage over likely pacesetter Party Town and maiden dirt winner Drop the Chalupa.

Race 3 marks the return of one of the flashiest 2-year-olds at the 2018 Del Mar summer meet – Tale of the Union romped with a 91 Beyer Speed Figure. That was his only start. His career stalled due to minor setbacks, including a tibia injury and throat surgery.

“Just little things that were setting him back,” Baffert said. “He probably needs one more stiff work, but I don’t want to wait another month to run him.”

Galilean broke slowly, rushed up, and finished third in his comeback.

“He got a little bit tired, but with a race under his belt he should be good and strong,” Sadler said.

Galilean is a two-time stakes winner who retains first-level allowance eligibility because the stakes wins were against California-breds.

Race 5 is the first of two entry-level turf miles and includes the comeback of highly regarded Hollywood Girl. Sired by Giant’s Causeway and produced by multiple graded winner Hollywood Story, she is a 4-year-old sibling to Derby hopeful Honor A. P. Both are trained by John Shirreffs.

Race 8, the split of the filly-mare turf mile, goes through European import Quick. She has finished third in both her U.S. starts in sprints.

“She’s clearly just crying for more ground,” Sadler said. “She really wants the distance. This is what she wants to do.”

Race 9, a maiden sprint, includes Baffert-trained debut runner-up American Code and first-timer Big Mel. They worked six furlongs in company May 10 and earned the same bullet designation for fastest work of the day. American Code broke off slightly in front of Big Mel and maintained his advantage to the wire. It was a good work for both.

American Code “has had an out, that gives him a little bit of an edge,” Baffert said. But he also has high hopes for Big Mel, whose debut was delayed due to tender shins. Lane Way shortens from a route and adds blinkers for Richard Mandella.