Plate Side getting dirt tryout in optional claimer

CYPRESS, Calif. – Plate Side will start on dirt for the first time in an optional claimer for California-breds at Los Alamitos, Thursday’s seventh race.

The timing seems ideal. The 5 1/2-furlong race has a weak field of seven, and Plate Side ran a respectable second in an allowance race for California-breds at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Sept. 3.

“His last couple of works at Del Mar on dirt were strong,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “We wanted to try him on the dirt.”

Owned by breeders Paul and Zillah Reddam, Plate Side is by Square Eddie out of Teresa Ann. A 3-year-old gelding, Plate Side is a half-brother to the stakes winner Waveline, who earned $324,400, and a full brother to Eddie’s First, who has won 6 of 34 starts and earned $203,348.

KEY CONTENDERS

Plate Side, by Square Eddie
Last 3 Beyers: 80-80-70

◗ Plate Side won his second start, a maiden race for California-breds on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in July. He had three starts at Del Mar, finishing eighth, sixth and second in turf optional claimers or allowance races.

“On pedigree, we thought he would do well on the grass,” O’Neill said.

◗ In the Sept. 3 race, Plate Side closed from seventh in a field of 10 to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind Anatolian Heat.

◗ Plate Side breaks from post 6 in Thursday’s race, and regular rider Mario Gutierrez is likely to have him off the pace early.

◗ Since the Sept. 3 race, Plate Side has not had a workout. He worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds on dirt at Del Mar on Aug. 12.

Rim Ditch, by Ministers Wild Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 58-71-54

◗ Rim Ditch won an optional claimer-starter allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs here last December, leading throughout. Trained by Antonio Garcia, Rim Ditch was last of 10 behind Anatolian Heat on Sept. 3, his only start this year.

◗ Rim Ditch will be ridden by Ruben Fuentes, who is likely to have the 3-year-old gelding near the front.

Gettoffmyback, by Good Journey
Last 3 Beyers: 80-61-70

◗ From a class perspective, Getoffmyback will be challenged in this field. The 4-year-old gelding has won two of his last three starts, both at 5 1/2 furlongs – a $14,000 claimer for non-winners of two on Aug. 5 at Del Mar, and a $10,500 claimer here on Sept. 7.

◗ Getoffmyback, who is trained by Peter Miller, is in the sharpest form of his career and is the only runner in the race with a start at the meeting.