Miss Big Stuff one to beat in Anoakia
ARCADIA, Calif. – All nine runners in the $70,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies Sunday at Santa Anita are eligible for the first allowance condition. Don’t be fooled.
“It’s a salty group,” said trainer Peter Miller.
He would know. Miller trains the saltiest in the field. Miss Big Stuff has started only once, scoring a stylish victory against males that suggests she is the filly to beat in the six-furlong Anoakia.
The deep field includes three contenders dropping from graded stakes at Del Mar. Undisputed lugged out and tired to sixth in the Grade 2 Sorrento, Uptown Twirl was freshened after a baffling fifth in the Sorrento, and Surfside Tiara drops from the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante.
The four principals have something in common – all won strong maiden races that hinted at stakes potential. The second-start class hike did not quite work for Undisputed and Uptown Twirl in the Sorrento.
Undisputed had an alibi that trainer Simon Callaghan believes can be addressed.
“She was on the rail, and she was just drifting out really bad,” said Callaghan. “She did it a little bit the first time but managed to overcome it. You can’t do that in a graded stakes and get away with it.”
Callaghan will add cheater blinkers to Undisputed.
“It’s a very small blinker, not a full blinker, and that seems to have helped in the mornings,” he said.
Uptown Twirl also misfired in the Sorrento but lacked a legitimate alibi.
“I was baffled by her performance,” said trainer John Sadler. “She broke bad and acted like she never really handled the track. She’s come back and trained good, and I know she’s good on this [Santa Anita] track.”
Undisputed, Uptown Twirl, and Surfside Tiara have an experience edge over Miss Big Stuff. The question is whether they are as fast. Based on the impressive debut by Miss Big Stuff, the answer is not yet.
Key contenders
Miss Big Stuff (Beyer: 82)
* Miss Big Stuff, by Big Drama, won first out Aug. 23 at Del Mar and was considered for a $500,000 stakes Oct. 3 at Gulfstream Park. However, her seven-furlong workout Sept. 26 did not justify the ship.
“We decided to punt,” Miller said. “We’ll take the conservative route. She worked super here the other day.”
* Miss Big Stuff worked a half-mile Oct. 6 at San Luis Rey and is drawn outside her main rivals. Victor Espinoza rides.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Miss Big Stuff. Trainer Peter Miller is 13-0-1-4 over the past three years with 2-year-olds in the second career start following a winning debut. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Undisputed (Beyers: 16-73)
* Sired by Street Boss, Undisputed defeated Surfside Tiara first time out. In her second start, Undisputed lugged out and tired.
* Since then, she worked straight with cheater blinkers. Tyler Baze takes over for the sidelined Flavien Prat.
“I think Tyler fits these types of horses,” said Callaghan.
* Undisputed will set or press the pace.
Uptown Twirl (Last 2 Beyers: 55-73)
* Uptown Twirl won her debut in June at Santa Anita and has posted sharp recent works since returning to her preferred surface. Joe Talamo takes over for Espinoza.
* Early on the Sunday card, Sadler and owner Hronis Racing will unveil a well-regarded first-time starter by Harlan’s Holiday. Lindeza is a filly billed to be quick.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Lemhill Basr. Trainer Bob Baffert is 12-5-1-0 with a $2.94 ROI over the past two years with 2-year-olds in the second career start following a winning debut. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan