New Zealand import key to $129,000 carryover

ARCADIA, Calif. – Habibi, a Group 1 winner in New Zealand in 2013, will get a stern test when she makes her American debut in an optional claimer at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Thursday.

Her presence in Thursday’s fourth race has heightened importance for bettors, many of whom will be chasing a pick six that begins with a carryover of $129,366 from Sunday. Track officials expect the pool to rise to $750,000.

The pick six runs from the third through eighth races on a program that begins at 1 p.m. Pacific. The first pick six race starts at 2 p.m.

Habibi has not started since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Australian Oaks in April 2013, emerging from the race with a hind leg injury, trainer Dan Blacker said.

Habibi, a 5-year-old mare by the Red Ransom stallion Ekraar, began workouts with Blacker in February and has worked steadily since early April. Blacker said the goal for Habibi is the $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf here on June 28.

“We were pointing for the Royal Heroine and this spot came up,” Blacker said. “I think she’s got the talent to win. We thought it would be good to get a race in her. I think she’ll be better going farther.”

Habibi has won 6 of 9 starts and earned $566,935. Much of that was earned in her victory over males in the Group 1, $618,880 New Zealand Derby at about 1 1/2 miles on turf in March 2013. She also has won two Group 2 races.

“She’s one of the smartest horses I’ve been around,” Blacker said. “She’s very intelligent to train.”

In Thursday’s fourth race, Habibi is part of a strong field of six that includes two other stakes winners, Redressthebalance and Unusual Hottie, as well as the stakes-placed Spring Bloom and the four-time winners Kathleen Rose and Theatre Star.

Theatre Star won four consecutive starts from November to early April before finishing fourth as the 2-1 favorite in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at a mile on turf on April 27. Trained by Tom Proctor, Theatre Star races near the front, and will be challenged there by Kathleen Rose. Kathleen Rose has won her last two starts, which came in optional claimers at a mile on turf in March and early May.

Redressthebalance, claimed for $40,000 by trainer George Papaprodromou when she won on May 16, will be stalking the leaders. She won the California Oaks in February 2013.

Unusual Hottie, trained by Jeff Mullins, is winless in her last seven starts, since winning the Redondo Beach Stakes at Hollywood Park in June 2013. Unusual Hottie was a troubled second in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes on April 26.

Spring Bloom is a threat from just off the pace. She was third in the Golden Poppy Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on May 10.

The pick six begins with a five-furlong maiden race for 2-year-old fillies, which drew a field of eight.

The Smart Strike fillies Bennett Jean and Screaming Skylar, who have recorded quick workouts in recent weeks, are two of seven first-time starters in the maiden race.

The race is the first of the meet for 2-year-olds at five furlongs.

Bennett Jean, owned by Gulliver Racing, was purchased for $150,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of select 2-year-olds in March and is trained by Ted H. West.

“She acts like she can run,” West said.

Bennett Jean worked a half-mile from the gate in 47.60 seconds on May 23, the fastest of 34 works at the distance. On May 30, she had an official work of 1:00.40 from the gate, although West said she only worked a half-mile before showing a strong gallop-out.

“I’m looking forward to stretching her out,” he said.

Screaming Skylar was purchased for $505,000 at the Ocala March sale by Rockingham Ranch and Richard Pell. She has a string of steady workouts at San Luis Rey Downs in recent weeks.

Trainer Peter Miller described Screaming Skylar as “a very nice filly.”

“She’s bred to run long on the grass,” Miller said. “I expect her to run well.”

The other first-time starters are Meta Mu (trained by Kristin Mulhall), Wild Heart Run (Louis Bradvica), Champion Risk (Doug O’Neill), Heart of Paradise (Jerry Hollendorfer), and C’Mon Sister (John O’Hara). The only filly with experience is Soul Crusader, who was third against males in her debut on May 9.

The remaining races in the pick six are a sprint for maiden claimers, an optional claimer for statebreds on turf, a $16,000 claimer at a mile, and a $40,000 claimer at a mile on turf.

There are eighth $20,000 claiming fillies and mares in the fifth race, which is for maidens. Wine Country Wanda, third at 1 1/16 miles in her last start, and Nonna Reese, winless in nine starts, will dominate the betting.

The sixth race is an optional claimer for California-bred females at a mile on turf. The Blacker-trained Wonderful Lie makes her turf debut. She finished second in the Melair Stakes for statebreds here on April 26. She must beat the five-time winners Miss Well Molded and Toppers Sunshine, and Highly Rated, who was second in a race at this level on May 8.

Fit to Rule will be well backed to win his fourth consecutive start in the seventh race. A 5-year-old gelding, he was claimed for $12,500 by Peter Miller on May 9. Fit to Rule won a $16,000 claimer on March 9. When We Met and Graeme Crackerjack could be prominent from off the pace.

Hobbits Hero will be favored to win the eighth, for 3-year-olds on turf. He won a similar race on May 2, beating Photography and Al Baz, who are part of Thursday’s field.