Pacific Heat to show speed in Evening Jewel

ARCADIA, Calif. – Pacific Heat will be the filly to respect, and catch, in Saturday’s Evening Jewel Stakes at Santa Anita.

Pacific Heat has won two stakes in her five-race career and was near the front in both races. In the Evening Jewel Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies, Pacific Heat is expected to contest the lead.

“I’ll let her get her position,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “She can go to the lead.”

The Evening Jewel Stakes drew a field of 10 and is one of two $200,000 races for California-bred 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs on Saturday’s 12-race program. The preceding race is the Echo Eddie Stakes. The Echo Eddie Stakes lacks a standout in a field of nine. Smokey Image, the champion 2-year-old California-bred male, is racing in Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita Derby.

KEY CONTENDERS

EVENING JEWEL

Pacific Heat, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 81-83-63

◗ Pacific Heat won the California Cup Oaks at a mile on turf by 5 1/4 lengths on Jan. 30 but was fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length, against open company in the China Doll Stakes at a mile on turf March 12.

“She had a tough time in the heavier going,” Eurton said.

◗ Pacific Heat’s juvenile form around one turn was stellar, a win in a maiden race at Los Alamitos in September and a convincing win by 5 1/4 lengths in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at seven furlongs at Del Mar last October.

Patriotic Diamond, by Hat Trick

Last 3 Beyers: 73-64-65

◗ Patriotic Diamond has not started since finishing second to Pacific Heat in the Cal Cup Oaks. Last year, Patriotic Diamond won two six-furlong races for California-breds at Del Mar – the Generous Portion Stakes in August and an optional claimer in November.

“She’s a come-from-behind sprinter,” trainer Patrick Biancone said. “We’ve given her time to develop, and she’s coming into the race well. I hope she overperforms a little bit and Pacific Heat underperforms a little bit.”

ECHO EDDIE STAKES

Tough It Out, by Grazen

Last 3 Beyers: 76-87-71

◗ Tough It Out was second to Smokey Image in the California Cup Derby in January but was third and fourth in two subsequent starts in allowance races against older California-breds.

“I think he was a victim of circumstances because he ran against older California-breds,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I don’t think the 3-year-olds have caught up with the older horses yet. I think he’s got a legitimate chance.”

Record Highs, by Heatseeker

Last 3 Beyers: 77-58-66

◗ Record Highs, trained by Carla Gaines, was fifth in the California Cup Derby but ran a brighter race when second against older Cal-breds in an allowance race at a mile on turf March 26.

Xingontothebone, by Time to Get Even

Last 3 Beyers: 81-62-69

◗ Xingontothebone was third in the California Cup Derby and second in an optional claimer at a mile against open company Feb. 28. Trained by Walther Solis, Xingontothebone won an optional claimer for Cal-breds at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar last November.