Overachieving 11-year-old Soi Phet tops eclectic card

ARCADIA, Calif. – There’s something for everyone Friday at Santa Anita – 2-year-olds, claiming horses going up, layoff horses coming back, and the oldest runner on the circuit.

Soi Phet, 11, faces a tall order in the featured seventh race, but he has overachieved his entire career. Soi Phet was 1 for 16 when trainer Leonard Powell claimed him in 2013 for a mere $16,000. He enters Friday having won 15 races and more than $1 million.

Powell’s expectations Friday? “To win,” he laughed, adding, “It’s a tough race.”

Right about that. Eight entered the allowance/optional $62,500 claiming dirt mile. The field includes well-meant comebackers Dark Vader and Two Thirty Five; consistent El Huerfano; and Blackjackcat, a graded stakes winner on turf.

The early races Friday offer a variety of handicapping challenges. What debut 2-year-old in race 3 is live? Can veteran Muchos Besos, at age 10 the second oldest on the card, win his second straight in race 5? And what is the former $8,000 claiming mare Zuzanna doing in a first-level allowance that is race 6? Hint: throw her out at your own risk.

Race 3 is a maiden race for California-bred 2-year-old fillies, and Vegan should be tough. Runner-up in her debut, she adds Lasix and likely will improve for trainer Doug O’Neill. Slam dunk? Not if trainer Jeff Bonde is right.

Popular Appeal breaks from the rail going 4 1/2 furlongs, and Bonde assured she possesses an important attribute. “The horse is quick from the gate. We’re taking our shot,” Bonde said. Slow recent works by Popular Appeal probably can be disregarded.

Race 5 is a $20,000 claiming race at a mile, Javier Sierra-trained Muchos Besos seeks his second straight. A 10-year-old who began his career in 2011, Muchos Besos has won 12 of 76. Upset candidate Wilshire Dude misfired last out but scored a highly rated win three back that would be fast enough.

Race 6 is a first-level allowance race for fillies and mares at a 1 1/8 miles on turf. It’s an ambitious spot for Zuzanna, an $8,000 claiming winner two back, followed by a $25,000 claiming turf win last out in which she ran faster each successive quarter-mile.

Trainer Bob Hess Hess Jr. said Zuzanna “is sharp and confident, and Kent [Desormeaux] is riding great. We think she will get a great trip.” The past five weeks, Desormeaux has won 11 races from 34 mounts. Zuzanna’s rivals include Charmingslew and Pride’s Gold.

Race 7 attracted an eclectic field, and bettors will wonder what to do with Dark Vader and Two Thirty Five, unraced since last year. Dark Vader was stakes placed against 3-year-olds, but after shipping to Sunland, Belmont, and Indiana Grand, the travel caught up.

“When he got to Indiana, I think he’d just had it,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “He was just sour, tired. I could hardly saddle him. He was really bad.”

Dark Vader was given a rest.

Dark Vader has worked well for his first start since July. “I think he’s pretty tight,” Eurton said. “He’s worked against some nice horses.”

Dark Vader is facing older for the first time.

Two Thirty Five crushed a second-level allowance last June, then was outclassed in a pair of graded stakes. “I think we got a little too excited about him. But he did run a 104 Beyer,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “We just gave him a freshening. I think he’s ready.” Baltas also entered Caymans Cobra.

El Huerfano is a four-time winner at the second allowance condition/optional claiming, and enters as the 5-2 program favorite. Restrainedvengence and Divisor also entered.

As for old-timer Soi Phet, he makes his second start following a layoff and is back on preferred footing, which is dirt. He was last of seven in his comeback, but missed by only 4 1/4 lengths. The effort was better than the finish position, as his trainer correctly explained.

“They went a bit slow early and kicked home, and he doesn’t have that sharp turn of foot,” Powell said. “He came back really well from it. If he was a 6- or 7-year-old, you’d say it’s okay for a first race back. Because he’s 11, you ask yourself more questions.”

Powell has adjusted Soi Phet’s training regimen due to age. “I train him a bit lighter,” he said. “We don’t do strong canters every day, and a couple days a week, he just ponies, to get the weight off his back.”

A good effort by Soi Phet would move him toward the main spring objective – the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes on June 29 at Los Alamitos, where Soi Phet has won five stakes.