Miller barn looking to double up in Friday features

ARCADIA, Calif. – Prime Issue, an eight-time winner, and the lightly raced Roy H give trainer Peter Miller leading contenders in consecutive optional-claiming races for sprinters at Santa Anita on Friday.

Both will run in races with different conditions than their past starts. Prime Issue runs in a six-furlong race for California-breds, having frequently raced around two turns in the past. Roy H will have his second start on dirt after racing on turf in his first six races.

KEY CONTENDERS

RACE 6

Prime Issue, by Tannersmyman

Last 3 Beyers: 89-78-73

◗ Miller claimed Prime Issue for $25,000 on Jan. 23 for Rockingham Ranch. In his first start for his new connections, Prime Issue was beaten a nose in a $25,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 26. The shorter race on Friday will be a test, Miller said.

“He’s probably better going long,” Miller said. “It’s not an ideal spot. I think he’s pretty sharp, and he’ll show some speed. If he can set second or third, I think he can finish.”

Gutsy Ruler, by Tribal Rule

Last 3 Beyers: 82-82-76

◗ Gutsy Ruler is winless in his last 10 starts but has been second or third in his last six races. Leading jockey Rafael Bejarano will ride Gutsy Ruler for the first time Friday and is likely to have the 5-year-old gelding near the front.

RACE 7

Roy H, by More Than Ready

Last 3 Beyers: 83-73-83

◗ Roy H beat maidens on the hillside turf course here last May but is winless in his last five starts. He was fourth in an optional claimer on dirt Dec. 27, his only start at the current meeting. On Friday, Roy H will race without blinkers for the first time since his debut last April.

◗ Miller projects that Guy Code will show speed, and that jockey Flavien Prat can have Roy H in a tactical position on the backstretch in the race at 6 1/2 furlongs.

“With the blinkers off, we can get him to relax a little more,” Miller said.

Dream Team, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 76-78-82

◗ Purchased for $1 million at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale, Dream Team has one win in five starts and has not raced since finishing sixth behind Roy H on Dec. 27.

◗ Dream Team raced for the Coolmore partnership of Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, and Susan Magnier for his first five starts. The current ownership is listed as Baffert’s wife, Jill, and David and Lindy Israel. David Israel is a former chairman of the California Horse Racing Board.

Distinctive B, by With Distinction

Last 3 Beyers: 85-79-40

◗ Distinctive B ended a three-race losing streak with an 11-1 upset in a $32,000 claimer on March 13, his first start since October. On Friday, Distinctive B is entered for a $40,000 claiming price and is a threat from off the pace.

New Summit, by Sky Mesa

Last 3 Beyers: 76-89-73

◗ New Summit was second in an optional claimer Jan. 9 but sixth in a similar race Feb. 13. The 4-year-old has been gelded since his last start.