Pivotal race for French Getaway

ARCADIA, Calif. – French Getaway has made all four of his starts on dirt but has been considered a long-term prospect for turf races since he joined trainer Bob Hess Jr.’s stable last year. On Sunday at Santa Anita, French Getaway will start on dirt again in an optional claimer that will determine which surface will be the focus of upcoming starts for him.

The same race will be Malibu Sunset’s first start for trainer Bob Baffert after an eye-catching win at Fair Grounds last month in his debut.

French Getaway and Malibu Sunset are part of a field of six in an optional claimer at a mile that could lead to appearances in stakes races for a few of the participants.

French Getaway is the only member of the field nominated for the Triple Crown. A ridgling by Giant’s Causeway, French Getaway was a well-beaten second to Danzing Candy in an optional claimer here at a mile Feb. 4. The loss left Hess with a mixed reaction.

“He’s been a little bit disappointing on the dirt,” he said. “We want to give him another chance. He hung a little bit in his last race. I don’t think anyone was going to beat Danzing Candy.

“This race will determine whether he goes on to bigger and better things on dirt or on the turf. You always dream a little. You don’t want to force him to do something he doesn’t excel at.”

Owned by Schroeder Farms, French Getaway was purchased for approximately $220,000 by bloodstock agent Hubert Guy at a French sale of 2-year-olds in training last May.

Malibu Sunset will be favored in the optional claimer. A colt by Bernardini, Malibu Sunset won a six-furlong maiden race at Fair Grounds by 10 1/2 lengths on Jan. 31 when trained by Wayne Catalano. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

Sunday’s race will be Malibu Sunset’s first start for Baffert. The colt, who races for Gary and Mary West, is expected to show speed.

“I think he’s pretty fast,” Baffert said. “He’s been working well. It’s a good two-turn test. I expect a good race out of him.”

The other runners include Xingontothebone, who was third in the California Cup Derby for statebreds on Jan. 30, and Electrifying, the winner of a $75,000 claimer for maidens at six furlongs for Baffert on Jan. 3.

Electrifying will start at a mile for the first time Sunday.

“I don’t want to run him in a sprint,” Baffert said. “I want to see if he’ll go two turns.”