A more mature Smokey Image returns

ARCADIA, Calif. – Smokey Image was a sour 3-year-old by the middle of last summer. Unbeaten in five starts at 2 in 2015, he had one win in six starts in 2016.

“It had been a long year for him,” trainer Carla Gaines said. “We decided to give him a break and let him grow up a bit.”

Gaines said Smokey Image has changed in recent months. On Friday, Smokey Image will have his 4-year-old debut in an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs in the third race at Santa Anita.

“He’s matured mentally and physically,” Gaines said.

Owned by Irvin Racing Stable, Smokey Image is part of a field of five in the optional claimer and is the only five-time stakes winner in the race. The stakes winners Cat Burglar and Coastline each are in a situation similar to Smokey Image, having not raced since the first half of 2016. El Huerfano and Touched by Autism are the other runners.

KEY CONTENDERS

Smokey Image, by Southern Image

Last 3 Beyers: 76-87-87

◗ Smokey Image won five consecutive stakes from the summer of 2015 to January 2016 – the first four for trainer Greg James and the California Cup Derby for statebreds in early 2016 in his first start for Gaines. The Irvin family transferred Smokey Image to Gaines in late 2015.

◗ Smokey Image was winless in five stakes after the California Cup Derby, including a seventh in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby last April. He was taken out of training after finishing sixth in the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-breds at Del Mar last July.

“After his big win in Cal-bred company, we were confident against open company, and it didn’t work out,” Gaines said.

◗ Smokey Image has won at distances ranging from five furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. Gaines wants to use Friday’s race to judge which races best fit Smokey Image.

“Against the easier company, he was impressive going two turns, and after that, he faltered a bit,” she said.

◗ Mike Smith will ride Smokey Image for the first time. The colt is likely to set the pace but has been effective as a stalker.

Coastline, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 87-98-95

◗ Coastline won the Clocker’s Corner Stakes on turf in January 2016 and was later second in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes on dirt. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Coastline was last of eight in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita last June, his most recent start.

◗ Coastline was briefly in training at the end of last summer and has had a steady pattern of workouts since mid-January.

Cat Burglar, by Unbridled’s Song

Last 3 Beyers: 97-102-101

◗ This will be Cat Burglar’s first appearance in a sprint since a second in an optional claimer at seven furlongs in 2013. Cat Burglar has never won a sprint but did win the Santana Mile here last April. Cat Burglar was fourth in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs last May in his most recent start.