Pick six: Domonation comes in with experience

ARCADIA, Calif. - "They usually need an out," don't they?

Trainer Bob Baffert was talking about first-time starters, and he is right. Usually, they need an out. Usually, they improve second time.

An Oak Tree pick six carryover of more than $74,470 is up for grabs Saturday at Santa Anita, and Baffert-trained Conveyance is one of six first-time starters buried in the middle of the races 4-9 sequence. Race 7 is a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old maidens, and Conveyance is listed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line.

"He looks like Holy Bull, doesn't he?" Baffert said early this week while Conveyance jogged off the track after morning training. Conveyance was sired by the terrific debut sire Indian Charlie, and out of a mare sired by Holy Bull.

But if Conveyance takes after his dam in terms of appearance, perhaps the 18 percent debut win rate by offspring of his sire, Indian Charlie, does not apply.

Conveyance was entered in a similar maiden race Oct. 24, but scratched after drawing the rail. Baffert did not state the reason for the colt's scratch, and one day after his scheduled start, he worked five furlongs from the gate in a sprightly 1:00.20.

Conveyance would be a must use if the race 7 field did not include any experienced faces that could run.

But one horse in the field already has established ability, a good runner-up finish under his belt, and enters as a potential singleton in the pick six.

Domonation was 8-1 when he made his debut Oct. 10. He was not quick, weaved through traffic on the turn, rallied up the rail in the lane, made the lead between calls, and got collared late by the good maiden Get My Fix. It was a big effort by Domonation.

Trained by John Sadler, Domonation is the 5-2 favorite Saturday in race 7. And just like Baffert maidens, Sadler maidens also usually need a start.

If he improves second time out, Domonation can win race 7. If he does not improve second time out, then Conveyance is the alternative.

As for the first-time starters, they can all be followed. Most of them will need the out.