Law Abidin Citizen switches to turf sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. – There will be no Triple Crown campaign for Law Abidin Citizen, who was second in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters in his stakes debut last month.

Trainer Mark Glatt has chosen to keep Law Abidin Citizen in lesser races. On Friday, Law Abidin Citizen will have his turf debut in a first-level optional $75,000 claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside course at Santa Anita.

Glatt said choosing Friday’s race was an easy decision with Law Abidin Citizen, who was not nominated for the Triple Crown at the first entry stage in January.

“I felt like there are other horses better than him on dirt, at least at this stage of the game,” Glatt said Wednesday. “I want to stay on a conservative path with him and see what he can do.”

Glatt is not alone. Rockin Rudy and Elwood J, second and third in the minor Baffle Stakes on the hillside turf course Feb. 20, are nominated for the Triple Crown but will start in Friday’s optional claimer.

The race drew a field of seven, including Chief Hosa, Interrogator, and Ky. Colonel, all winners on turf.

Race 3

KEY CONTENDERS

Law Abidin Citizen, by Twirling Candy

Last 3 Beyers: 89-85-70

◗ Owned by Dan Agnew, Gerry Schneider, and John Xitco, Law Abidin Citizen won a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 29 in his fifth start. In the San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on Feb. 12, Law Abidin Citizen disputed the pace on the turn but faded to finish 3 1/2 lengths behind Iliad. Iliad was second in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 11 and is a candidate for the Santa Anita Derby on April 8.

◗ Glatt said a sprint is a logical race in which to try Law Abidin Citizen on turf.

“He’s bred to like the turf,” he said. “We’ll stretch him out after this race. I didn’t want to stretch him out and try a new surface in one race. Hopefully, he’ll relax well early on and show a quick turn of foot.”

Rockin Rudy, by Midshipman

Last 2 Beyers: 87-74

◗ Rockin Rudy won an $80,000 claiming race for maidens by 11 1/2 lengths at Del Mar last August and was later bought privately by Paul and Zillah Reddam. Rockin Rudy did not race again until the Baffle Stakes, losing by 1 3/4 lengths to Conquest Farenheit after setting a quick pace down the hill.

“If he runs like that or a little better, he should be tough,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.

Last Sunday, Conquest Farenheit won the Pasadena Stakes on turf.

Elwood J, by Vronsky

Last 3 Beyers: 85-70-71

◗ Elwood J closed from fifth to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind Conquest Farenheit. In January, Elwood J led throughout an optional claimer for California-breds at six furlongs on a wet-fast main track.

“We’re pretty happy with the way he’s developing,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “We thought he ran real well last time.”