Optional claimer pivotal race for Avanti Bello
ARCADIA, Calif. – Avanti Bello may be close to outgrowing optional-claiming races.
On Jan. 23 at Santa Anita, Avanti Bello won a first-condition optional claimer at a mile by 2 1/2 lengths. He starts in another optional claimer at Santa Anita in Friday’s fifth race. A win could lead to a stakes appearance soon.
“When you get older runners that can two-turn on the dirt, you think that,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.
Avanti Bello is part of a field of seven in a competitive $60,000 race. There are three optional claimers on Friday’s eight-race program, including the fourth race at 1 1/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares and the seventh race at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies.
Key contenders
Race 5
Avanti Bello, by Include
(Last 3 Beyers: 87-82-61)
◗ Avanti Bello led throughout the Jan. 23 race, his second win in his last four starts.
“We like the way he won,” O’Neill said. “We thought this race was a natural progression. It’s definitely tougher company, but he’s in good form.”
Just Kidding, by Kiss the Kid
(Last 3 Beyers: 93-88-89)
◗ Just Kidding has been second or third in his three races since winning an optional claimer here in October. He was beaten 1 3/4 lengths in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 9.
“He was in the 4 path all the way around,” trainer Peter Eurton said.
RACE 4
Miss Double d’Oro, by Megadlia D’Oro
(Last 3 Beyers: 80-81-84)
◗ Trained by Neil Drysdale, the 4-year-old Miss Double d’Oro was beaten a nose in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course Jan. 16 in her first start since September.
◗ Miss Double d’Oro won the Wine Country Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Santa Rosa last August.
Journey On, by Good Journey
(Last 3 Beyers: 84-81-85)
◗ Trained by Richard Baltas, Journey On is the only one in a field of eight entered to be claimed for $62,500.
◗ Journey On, who was fifth in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes on Jan. 18, is the only scheduled mount Friday for Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens.
RACE 7
Optimism and Hope, by Holy Roman Emperor
(Last 3 Beyers: 75-67-66)
◗ Optimism and Hope was third in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course Jan. 15 but could have finished closer with a better trip. She raced in traffic in midstretch and lost by four lengths.
◗ Trained by Phil D’Amato, Optimism and Hope is winless in five starts in this country. She is a threat from off the pace.
Sheeza Milky Way, by Sidney’s Candy
(Last 3 Beyers: 71-61-29)
◗ Sheeza Milky Way won a maiden race on turf Oct. 31 and was fifth after a troubled trip at 63-1 in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 28.
◗ Trained by Eurton, Sheeza Milky Way has not run on turf at Santa Anita, a course that has more give than the surface at Del Mar.
“It will be a question on the turf,” Eurton said. “We don’t know whether she’ll like it. It seems like it’s firmed up, but we just got that rain [last weekend].”