Mokat gets surface switch

ARCADIA, Calif. – Mokat grew up nicely during the Del Mar autumn meeting last year. The filly beat maidens in her first start on turf and at a mile Oct. 31 and was second to Family Meeting in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at a mile on turf Nov. 28.

Mokat runs in Friday’s seventh race at Santa Anita, an optional claimer at a mile on the main track. She could stay on dirt if she runs well.

Trainer Richard Baltas said he is worried about what the track will be like because of recent rain.

“I wish it wouldn’t be an off track,” Baltas said.

Owned by JK Racing Stable, Mokat is by Uncle Mo. She left Baltas impressed with her turf races at Del Mar, but Baltas thinks she will run well on dirt.

“We thought she ran very good,” Baltas said. “We think it was more the distance than anything.”

There are seven in Friday’s race for 3-year-old fillies. The most accomplished is Right There, who was third in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes here in September and ninth of 10 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

Trained by Keith Desormeaux, Right There won the Landaluce Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs last June, her only win in six starts.