Minister'sadventure in good form for second start off bench
CYPRESS, Calif. –Minister’sadventure won a $50,000 claiming race for California-bred maidens in her debut last April at Santa Anita. One year later, she is a contender to win a loftier race – a first-level optional $20,000 claimer for California-breds.
On Friday at Los Alamitos, Minister’sadventure will start for the second time this year in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Minister’sadventure has drawn post 10 in an oversubscribed field of 12. The race will be limited to 10 starters.
Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Minister’sadventure, by Ministers Wild Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 72-64-75
◗ Owned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Minister’sadventure will start in the shortest race of her career, having won 2 of 7 starts at six furlongs to a mile. She has finished first three times but was disqualified and placed second in a starter allowance on turf at Del Mar last July for causing interference.
◗ Minister’sadventure won a starter allowance on turf at Del Mar last August but finished eighth as the 8-5 favorite in an optional claimer on turf at Santa Anita last October. The loss led Hollendorfer to give the filly a rest.
“She wasn’t doing well,” he said.
◗ In her comeback at Santa Anita on March 26, Minister’sadventure led early and finished a game second to West Mid in an optional claimer for statebreds.
“We’re looking forward to a good race Friday,” Hollendorfer said. “We’re hopeful that the horse will make a good progression.”
◗ Mario Gutierrez will ride Minister’sadventure for the first time. He is likely to have the 4-year-old close to the front.
Miss Loujean, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 74-68-65
◗ Miss Loujean is comfortable at Los Alamitos. Trained by Keith Craigmyle, the 5-year-old mare is based here and won an 870-yard race against Quarter Horses by eight lengths in February. In two subsequent starts, Miss Loujean was second and third in an allowance race on the main track and an optional claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.
◗ Vinnie Bednar rides Miss Loujean on Friday, and she is expected to be part of the pace.
Cindys Secret, by Sea of Secrets
Last 3 Beyers: 58-71-78
◗ Cindys Secret has had a career somewhat similar to Minister’sadventure, winning a maiden claimer last year before showing improved form in optional claimers. Trained by Jerry Wallace, Cindys Secret has not raced since finishing fourth in a starter allowance at Los Alamitos last September.
◗ Last summer, Cindys Secret was second and third in allowance races for California-breds on turf at Del Mar. Earlier in her career, she ran well on dirt at Los Alamitos and Santa Anita, suggesting that she can be effective on such a surface.
◗ Wallace, based at Los Alamitos, has won with three of his first 14 starters this year.