R Heisman looks tough following brutal-trip debut

ARCADIA, Calif. – The month of May ends Friday at Santa Anita the same way it began – with a short-price 2-year-old at the springtime home of short prices.

One in every four races this month at Santa Anita included an odds-on favorite, and the juvenile colt who started the trend finds himself in a familiar role Friday – odds-on to win a California-bred maiden race. This time, the favorite should not miss.

R Heisman figures to be the most heavily favored runner on the card in race 3 at 4 1/2 furlongs. Based on his promising runner-up debut, R Heisman looks tough to bet against. Unfortunately, due to low odds, he is tough to bet on.

Thirty of the 122 races this month included an odds-on favorite; 16 won. R Heisman was the first odds-on runner in the first race this month on May 3. He finished second at 1-2 odds, but he ran super. And, he was for sale.

Peter Miller was driving to Santa Anita that day when owner Gary Barber phoned. R Heisman had just finished second with a brutal trip, and Barber asked Miller to inquire about the colt, trained by Luis Mendez and owned by John Brocklebank-linked Hard Five Inc. Brocklebank runners are always on the market. Barber was interested, for good reason.

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R Heisman was not quick from the inside post, shuffled back, was hard-held in fifth, steadied on the turn, angled outside, and then rallied with interest. The winner was gone, but R Heisman kept running. He finished seven lengths clear of third.

“Barber doesn’t miss much,” Miller said. “The horse had big workout reports, he obviously had trouble, and the winner ran very fast [52.01 seconds]. We know they are sellers; [Barber] said see if that horse is available.”

R Heisman is a big, good-looking horse and a deal was made that day, pending veterinary examination.

“He vetted very well, and was in my barn [at San Luis Rey Downs] Tuesday morning,” Miller said.

The colt should be in the winner’s circle Friday afternoon. R Heisman worked twice for Miller, including a sharp gate drill May 21 followed by a quarter-mile open gallop Tuesday.

“He’s pretty laid back for a 2-year-old,” Miller said describing the colt, sired by Far From Over. Juan Hernandez rides him Friday.

“He got a good draw, he should be tough,” Miller said, “unless someone is sitting on a monster.”

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Not likely. R Heisman drew post 4 of 5; his rivals include second-time starters El Ondeado and Mr. Machupicchu. A win by R Heisman would flatter the form of the colt who beat him. Bodacious is aiming to the $225,000 Bashford Manor on June 30 at Churchill Downs.

◗ Race 1 on Friday at Santa Anita is a wide-open turf sprint for maiden 2-year-old fillies. Trainer Steve Knapp, who last week won with two debut 2-year-olds, starts She’s My Flame. Mendez-trained Running Rio also entered; Doug O’Neill entered three, including What About Q. There probably won’t be an odds-on favorite in the race 1 turf sprint.

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