Pulpacheeks, Law Abidin Citizen could be sleepers

ARCADIA, Calif. – Want to wager on a live longshot? Legitimate contenders expected to start at generous odds appear in two turf races Friday at Santa Anita.

One is a maiden who finished seventh last out, the other is an allowance sprinter who was next-to-last. At first glance, it seems neither Pulpacheeks in race 3 nor Law Abidin Citizen in race 6 have much chance. However, each has discreet attributes.

Turf routes for California-bred maidens have been oddly predictable at the spring meet. Favorites won six of the last seven, during which time the highest win payoff was $7.60. Pulpacheeks finished seventh in her second start, but finish position can be deceptive.

“It was better than it looked, wasn’t it?” trainer Peter Eurton asked rhetorically. Yes, it was.

Racing a mile on turf, Pulpacheeks resented being rated. She tossed her head, got rank, steadied early, and trailed. Not good. The second half of the race was much better. She finished willingly and galloped out in front of the field.

“She’s going to come around, we’ve got high hopes for her,” Eurton said. Pulpacheeks is a sibling to Eurton-trained Grade 2 winner Cheekaboo. Pulpacheeks, who is easily distracted, adds blinkers Friday.

“I’m hoping she doesn’t get too aggressive with them,” Eurton said, and reminded that Pulpacheeks is not his only starter. He also starts Nothing But Heat, a full sister to a Grade 3 winner How Unusual but unplaced in four starts.

“The light’s going to click on with her,” Eurton said.

Race 6 is a turf sprint, second-level optional $62,500 claimer. Ten are entered, none are toss-outs. Route-to-sprint Air Vice Marshall is among the favorites, along with first-off-the-claim Cimpl Man, winner at the level on the hill.

The longshot Law Abidin Citizen misfired last out, finishing fifth of six in a dirt sprint. He had an alibi, though his trainer declined to specify.

“He had a bit of an issue, it was minor, but it probably affected his performance,” Mark Glatt said. “He ran really well on the turf once before.”

He also worked super since raced – five furlongs one week ago in 1:00, fastest of 52 works. Glatt expects the horse-for-course gelding to return to form Friday.

Perhaps neither Law Abidin Citizen in race 6, nor Pulpacheeks in race 3, is good enough. But at generous odds, both are worth backing Friday at Santa Anita.