Lily Kai takes on more distance in optional claimer
DEL MAR, Calif. – There are few opportunities for allowance horses to run farther than 1 1/8 miles on turf on this circuit, but the 1 3/8-mile races here at Del Mar are a glorious exception. Mike Machowsky, who trains Lily Kai, has thought his filly would appreciate these long races, and he’ll put his theory to the test Thursday, when Lily Kai heads the featured seventh race, an optional claimer with a $65,000 purse.
Lily Kai has won twice, at one mile and at 1 1/16 miles. She was ridden to one of those victories by Drayden Van Dyke, who told Machowsky that he, too, thought Lily Kai would go farther. After Lily Kai finished third in a stakes race at Santa Anita on May 28, Machowsky simply waited for this meet to start. With grass racing suspended for the final weeks of the Santa Anita meet, he had no interest in trying her on dirt.
“I tried it once last year at Del Mar, and she never picked up her feet,” Machowsky said. “Del Mar has these mile-and-three-eighths races, so we thought it best to wait for one of those. We’ve always thought she’d run all day.”
Seven are entered in the race, with So Good to Go and Light Striker in for a $40,000 claiming tag. The others, like Lily Kai, are using their allowance conditions.
KEY CONTENDERS
Lily Kai, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 84-82-78
◗ Both of her wins have been against California-breds, so she will be attempting to get her first win against open company.
◗ She has finished in the money in five of her last six starts and has won twice in her last five races.
Dressed to a T, by Square Eddie
Last 3 Beyers: 87-72-84
◗ She was overmatched in the Grade 1 Gamely last time out when finishing seventh as a 66-1 shot, so she should appreciate this significant class relief.
◗ Like Lily Kai, she has won twice, both times against California-breds. She has had compromised trips the last two times she ran in allowance races against open company.
So Good to Go, by Powerful Goer
Last 3 Beyers: 76-74-73
◗ She has won twice in her last three starts, both times against claiming runners, and her penchant for winning – seven victories in 29 starts – makes her an attractive option in a field in which many have been stuck at this allowance level for some time.
Holograeme, by Graeme Hall
Last 3 Beyers: 77-68-75
◗ Her recent races have been disappointing, but trainer Phil D’Amato, jockey Flavien Prat, and owner Little Red Feather Racing are off to strong starts at the meet.