Mrs. Norris back where she belongs – on turf

ARCADIA, Calif. – In her last two starts, both at the Del Mar summer meeting, Mrs. Norris finished second in the Sandy Blue Handicap on turf in her stakes debut and was last of six in an optional claimer on dirt.

There will be no more dirt races in the foreseeable future for Mrs. Norris, who returns to turf in an optional claimer at a mile for 3-year-old fillies in Friday’s seventh race at Santa Anita. Trained by Eoin Harty for Godolphin Racing, Mrs. Norris will be ridden by Victor Espinoza, who was aboard for the Sandy Blue Handicap in July.

“She’s back on turf, back with Espinoza, and back with 3-year-olds,” Harty said. “I’m cautiously optimistic.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Mrs. Norris, by Bernardini

Last 3 Beyers: 45-87-73

◗ Mrs. Norris was beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Barleysugar in the Sandy Blue Handicap at 1 1/8 miles.

◗ After the loss in the optional claimer in late August against older fillies and mares, Harty said he took a patient approach to getting Mrs. Norris back to racing. He had her entered earlier this month, but she didn’t draw into the race.

◗ Harty is a bit concerned about the one-mile distance of the race for Mrs. Norris, who drew post 4 in a field of eight.

“I wish this race was a little longer, but I don’t think she has any distance limitations,” he said. “She’s got a good, ground-saving post position.”

◗ Harty is hopeful that Mrs. Norris can progress into a consistent stakes runner as a 4-year-old in 2017.

“With her pedigree, the older they get, the better they get,” he said.

◗ The temporary turf rails will be set 30 feet from the permanent position Friday.

Ok Doll, by First Samurai

Last 3 Beyers: 82-83-80

◗ A move to turf racing in June has revived the career of Ok Doll, who ran for claiming tags of $40,000 to $85,000 in the first months of the year. Since the move to turf, Ok Doll has won or finished second in all three races.

◗ Trained by Richard Baltas for Michael Dye, Ok Doll was beaten a nose in an optional claimer at a mile on turf here Oct. 2.

“She wants grass, and she wants a mile,” Baltas said. “We decided, let’s try her on turf and long and see what happens. The owner has been happy with her. In the beginning, he wasn’t happy.”

◗ Ok Doll has speed and is likely to set the pace along with Nine Point Nine, who has been seventh, fourth, and eighth in stakes for 3-year-old fillies in recent months. Nine Point Nine was seventh in the Sandy Blue after leading by as many as four lengths.