Order and Law makes West Coast debut

ARCADIA, Calif. – Order and Law was a maiden when he won the $100,000 Laurel Futurity at six furlongs on turf last September. That remains his only win in six starts, all in the Mid-Atlantic and New York.

Earlier this year, Order and Law was transferred from trainer Louis Linder Jr. to Vladimir Cerin at Santa Anita. On Thursday at Santa Anita, Order and Law will make his West Coast debut in an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf.

The optional claimer will gauge what races Cerin chooses for Order and Law this spring. If Order and Law runs well, the $100,000 Singletary Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf April 28 could be part of the discussion.

“I hope he is” ready, Cerin said.

KEY CONTENDERS

Order and Law, by Violence

Last 3 Beyers: 72-39-75

◗ Order and Law was fourth in a productive running of the Heft Stakes at seven furlongs on dirt at Laurel on Dec. 29 in his final start on that circuit.

Race winner Alwaysmining has subsequently won two stakes in Maryland – the Miracle Wood Stakes in February and the Private Terms Stakes on March 16. Runner-up Win Win Win won the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in January and was third in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 9.

◗ Owned by Bran Jam Stables and David Clark, Order and Law has worked steadily at Santa Anita.

“I’ve had a few jockeys work him and they say he has a really smooth stride,” Cerin said. “I think the race sets up for him.”

◗ Order and Law, who will be ridden by Geovanni Franco, tends to run from off the pace. Thursday rivals Contagion and My Mandate run closer to the front.

Vantastic, by Dialed In

Last 3 Beyers: 75-76-80

◗ Vantastic was third in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar in November and was second and third in optional claimers on the hillside turf course in January and February.

◗ Trained by Peter Eurton, Vantastic has drawn the rail Thursday. Mike Smith, who was aboard in the DeMille Stakes, has the mount.

◗ Vantastic set the pace earlier in his career and has raced from a stalking position in his last two starts.

“He did come from off the pace last time,” Eurton said. “We’ll see how it plays. Mike will try to get him in the right spot.”

My Mandate, by Strong Mandate

Last 3 Beyers: 82-78-74

◗ My Mandate was second by a nose in a maiden special weight race on the hillside turf course Jan. 5 and won a similar race at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt Feb. 2 in his sixth start.

“I think he’ll get a flat mile,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “It might be a hair questionable.

“He’ll be forwardly placed. We’re trying to get him to relax.”