Pick-six carryover jump-starts week
CYPRESS, Calif. – The first day of the final week of the Los Alamitos winter Thoroughbred meeting begins on Thursday with a pick-six carryover of $32,015.
The eight-race program lacks an allowance or stakes race, putting the spotlight squarely on the pick six. The pool of new money could exceed $200,000. The pick six covers the third through eighth races on a program that begins at 1 p.m. Pacific.
The Los Alamitos winter meeting ends Sunday. Santa Anita opens its winter-spring meeting Dec. 26.
The pick-six sequence comprises three sprints and three one-mile races. There are four races for maidens and two for claimers.
Race 3
There are six first-time starters among 11 entrants in this $30,000 claimer for maiden 2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs. The race will be limited to 10 starters. None of the five fillies with race experience has finished in the first four.
Road Test, the lone filly on the also-eligible list, was seventh in a maiden special weight at Santa Anita on Oct. 28 and would take a key drop in class if she draws into the field.
The first-time starters Swiss Cause, trained by Mike Harrington, and Bella Be Quick, trained by Phil D’Amato, are from stables that do well with first-time starters.
Race 4
There are six runners in this $12,500 claimer at a mile for nonwinners of two, making it the smallest field on the card.
Tough Emblem and Unbridled Rocket try to end eight-race losing streaks. Unbridled Rocket, trained by Jack Carava, was a troubled third in a similar race at Santa Anita on Nov. 6.
Race 5
Jeanjeannie and Starr of Quality should play leading roles in this $30,000 claiming race for 2-year-old maiden fillies at a mile. Jeanjeannie was second in maiden claimers at a mile in October and earlier this month. Starr of Quality was third in a maiden special weight race and a $50,000 claimer for maidens earlier this year.
Race 6
With a $45,000 purse, this maiden special weight at a mile is the richest race on the program.
There will be support for Uninvited, trained by Bob Baffert, and Pappou, trained by John Sadler, largely because of their trainers. Aztec Warrior and Papa Royale have raced on turf and start on dirt for the first time. Papa Royale has worked well on dirt in recent weeks, trainer Eric Kruljac said last weekend.
Race 7
At five furlongs, this $25,000 claimer is the day’s shortest race. Three runners have started in 870-yard races against Quarter Horses, including Justamitch and Well Maybe, who were first and second in the Truly a Pleasure Handicap here in August.
Wildfire Kid, trained by Mark Glatt, won twice at five furlongs in the summer.
Race 8
This $20,000 claimer for maiden fillies and mares at six furlongs offers a super high five, which has a carryover of $11,186.
In a field of 12, Mototapu and Really a Gem catch the eye. They’ve both been within a nose of winning.
Irish Devil, who was 10th and fourth in her first two starts, is trained by Jerry Wallace, whose stable had an excellent opening week of this meeting. The Wallace-trained Devils Triangle paid $185.80 to win on Sunday, essentially causing Thursday’s carryover.