Luckbox Sam makes quick turnaround
CYPRESS, Calif. –Six days after a third-place finish in a starter allowance for sprinters, Luckbox Sam starts in an optional claimer at a mile at Los Alamitos on Friday.
Trainer A.C. Avila expects the 4-year-old gelding to be better prepared, and be a strong contender to post his third career win.
Luckbox Sam, who races for Seacoast Racing, is part of the field of six in the optional claimer, the top race on Friday’s eight-race program. The Los Alamitos December Thoroughbred meeting runs through Sunday. Santa Anita begins its winter-spring meeting on Friday, Dec. 26.
Friday’s field includes one stakes winner in Roundupthelute, who won the C.B. Afflerbaugh Stakes at Barretts Sales and Racing at Fairplex Park in 2013. Roundupthelute was away from racing for more than a year before returning to finish ninth of 12 in an optional claimer at six furlongs at Los Alamitos on Dec. 6.
KEY CONTENDERS
Luckbox Sam (Last 3 Beyers: 81-84-87)
◗ Avila claimed Luckbox Sam for $12,500 at Golden Gate Fields in May. In five subsequent starts, Luckbox Sam has won a $25,000 claimer and finished third in four consecutive races. Luckbox Sam has earned $45,000 since being claimed.
◗ On Dec. 6, Luckbox Sam was fifth early and raced within a neck of the lead in the stretch before losing by 1 1/2 lengths in his first start at Los Alamitos.
◗ Tiago Pereira had the mount that day, and rides Luckbox Sam on Friday.
“He broke well and [Tiago] thought he would keep it going and he put on the brakes,” Avila said. “He had to ask him. He has natural speed. If he puts it together, he can win the race.”
◗ Luckbox Sam is entered for a $40,000 claiming price.
“If someone claims him, that’s it,” Avila said. “That’s the business.”
Roundupthelute (Last 3 Beyers: 68-47-70)
◗ The six-furlong distance of his last race was too short for Roundupthelute, trainer Bob Baffert said.
“He lost contact with the field,” Baffert said. “I’m running him right back because it was like nothing for him.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Roundupthelute. Trainer Bob Baffert is 14-6-2-0 with a $3.09 ROI over the past two years going sprint to route on dirt in the second start following a layoff. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Wrightwood (Last 3 Beyers: 80-71-84)
◗ Trained by Mike Harrington, Wrightwood beat maidens at Del Mar in August and was fourth in an optional claimer here on Dec. 4, his first start in two months.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Macho Sox. Trainer Leandro Mora is 3-2-1-0 with a $20.33 ROI over the past five years going turf to dirt in routes. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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