Musical High seeks to end losing streak

ARCADIA, Calif. - Musical High is winless in four starts since arriving from England last year. Trainer Paddy Gallagher has a hunch that losing streak may end soon, perhaps as early as Wednesday's seventh race at Santa Anita.

Musical High drew the rail in a $55,000 allowance race over a mile on turf, and will make her first start since finishing sixth in the Viejas Casino Handicap on turf at Del Mar last summer.

"She got in a little bit of trouble in that race," Gallagher said.

Musical High emerged from that race with a bone chip in an ankle that required surgery, he said.

"She's been training well," Gallagher said. "The chip wasn't that bad, but it was aggravating her."

A 4-year-old filly, Musical High will make her first start for Gallagher in Wednesday's race. She previously was trained by Jamie Lloyd, who is now Gallagher's assistant.

The layoff "seemed like it helped her," Gallagher said.

Musical High has one victory in eight starts. She races for a partnership led by Jim Ford. Prior to the Viejas Casino Handicap, she finished second once and third twice in allowance races and optional claimers in California.

Musical High must beat Totally Phat and Usk Poppy, who each ran well in her last start.

Totally Phat beat maidens in a one-mile turf race March 9, the first win of her six-race career. Trained by Gary Mandella, Totally Phat is likely to come from off the pace.

Usk Poppy was third in her last start, an allowance race over 1 1/8 miles on turf. Trained by Ben Cecil, Usk Poppy could play a major role in the outcome as a front-runner who may face minimal pressure in the first half-mile.

Usk Poppy is seeking her first win at a mile. Her lone victory in nine starts came last June in a seven-furlong maiden race in England.

The race has a strong foreign influence. Five of the 10 fillies and mares began their careers overseas.

Sweet Spot, a maiden race winner in Ireland last year, finished sixth in her U.S. debut March 8.

Bien Dulce is making her first start against winners and first start for trainer Ron McAnally. Owned by Sid and Jenny Craig, Bien Dulce won a maiden race over seven furlongs on dirt in Argentina last August.

The Great Britain-bred In Reality started her career in England in 2005, but was a maiden when she was sent to California in winter 2005-06. She is winless in her last six starts.