Mighty Mo ready for California and dirt debut

CYPRESS, Calif. – Mighty Mo will finally make his California debut in a one-mile optional claimer at Los Alamitos on Sunday, a month later than expected.

When Mighty Mo was transferred from Bill Mott’s stable at Saratoga to Michael McCarthy in California, the goal was a start in the final weeks of the Del Mar summer meeting, which ended Sept. 4. But a suitable race did not draw sufficient entries, McCarthy said, and there was no place to run him until Sunday’s race.

Mighty Mo will race on dirt for the first time, and McCarthy said the 4-year-old should handle it.

“I’m excited to see what he can do on the dirt,” he said. “Hopefully, he’ll put forth a good effort and open a few doors.”

The optional claimer is the eighth of nine races on Sunday’s program at Los Alamitos, the final day of the Los Angeles County Fair meeting. Santa Anita opens its autumn meeting Friday.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Mighty Mo, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 89-81-92

◗ Mighty Mo, owned by Jake Ballis and former NBA all-star Rashard Lewis, has won 2 of 12 starts and earned $107,818. Mighty Mo was second in the Woodhaven Stakes on turf at Aqueduct in April 2016.

◗ This year, Mighty Mo is winless in three starts. He was fifth in an optional claimer at Saratoga on Aug. 5, leading to early stretch before fading from contention. Mighty Mo joined McCarthy’s stable in mid-August.

“He showed up in really good order,” McCarthy said. “He’s a pretty impressive horse to watch train.”

◗ Mighty Mo has had four workouts since arriving in California. He is likely to race near the front, having won two races as a pacesetter.

Giant Influence, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 77-88-69

◗ Giant Influence won an optional claimer at a mile on dirt at Santa Anita on June 18 in a 19-1 upset. In his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar on July 26, Giant Influence faded after a mile to finish last of seven.

“The way he gets out, he’s tough to ride around one turn much less three turns,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “It was bad management on our part to think he could do it.

“It’s all psychological with him. When you pull him up, you need someone to pick him up on the outside, or he’ll wheel.”

◗ Giant Influence drew the outside post in Sunday’s six-horse field, and is expected to race as a stalker.

Ike Walker, by Bellamy Road
Last 3 Beyers: 86-70-75

◗ Ike Walker is one of four horses entered to be claimed for $62,500, along with Avanti Bello, Infobedad, and Lucky J Lane.

◗ Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Ike Walker pullied clear in early stretch of a $32,000 claimer at a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 3 and won by 3 1/2 lengths. Ike Walker was claimed for $50,000 in January and has since won 2 of 6 starts, both at a mile.