Pantsonfire to be rolling late in turf mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Before Thursday’s fifth race, there will be no need for an elaborate strategy discussion between trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Rajiv Maragh regarding the filly Pantsonfire.

“She’s got a nice kick,” Baltas said last weekend. “We can make one move. Go to the outside and don’t get the horse stopped.”

The style worked in an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option Feb. 1. On Thursday, Pantsonfire starts from the rail in a second-condition allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at a mile on turf.

Pantsonfire is part of a full field of 10 fillies and mares.

KEY CONTENDERS

Pantsonfire, by Sir Percy

Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-83

◗ Pantsonfire has won two of her last four starts, including a maiden race in October. She was beaten a nose in an optional claimer at Del Mar in November and was sixth in the Grade 1 American Oaks on Dec. 30 at 47-1.

◗ In the Feb. 1 race, Pantsonfire closed from fifth in a field of 10 to win by three-quarters of a length as the 9-5 favorite. From Baltas’s point of view, she was closer to the pace than expected.

“She doesn’t have to be that close,” he said. “She’s got a nice kick.”

Cordiality, by Papa Clem

Last 3 Beyers: 71-86-86

◗ Cordiality may set the pace if she has a clean start. In her only start this year, on Jan. 7, Cordiality stumbled badly at the start and finished last of 11.

“I think she could have been right there,” trainer Mark Glatt said.

◗ Cordiality won an optional claimer at Del Mar in August and was second in two optional claimers, at Santa Anita and Del Mar, in the fall. In both of those races, she raced near the lead and was caught in the final furlong.

“She’s an ultra-consistent mare,” Glatt said.

Fizzy Friday, by Royal Applause

Last 3 Beyers: 86-82-77

◗ Fizzy Friday was second by a half-length in the same race as Cordiality on Jan. 7 in her first start for trainer Phil D’Amato. Fizzy Friday stalked the pace, led in the stretch and was caught in the final furlong. Flavien Prat was aboard for that race and retains the mount.

“I learned that she’s a nice filly with a lot of tactical speed,” D’Amato said. “That’s a plus.

“I think the best style is that Flavien can place her where he wants in a race. He can stalk or sit farther back.”

Just a Little Hope, by Flatter

Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-86

◗ Just a Little Hope is switching surfaces and distances, having finished fifth in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs Dec. 26, and fourth in the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes at six furlongs on Feb. 18. In her only start on turf, Just a Little Hope was third in an optional claimer at a mile here last July.

Shazara, by El Corredor

Last 3 Beyers: 87-84-83

◗ This distance should suit Shazara, who races from off the pace.

◗ Trained by Gary Sherlock, Shazara won an optional claimer at a mile on turf at 20-1 on Jan. 1, but was sixth in the Astra Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on Jan. 14 and fourth in an optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on Feb. 11.