Raised a Secret preps for return to statebred stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – In each of the last three years, Raised a Secret earned at least $120,000. To do that again this year, an appearance in a third-level optional $75,000 claimer for sprinters at Santa Anita on Friday could play an important role.
Raised a Secret will start for the third time this year in Friday’s second race, a six-furlong race with a purse of $63,000. In January, Raised a Secret was fifth in the Grade 3 Midnight Lute Stakes and second in the California Cup Sprint for statebreds.
Last October, Raised a Secret won the Harris Farms Stakes at the Big Fresno Fair.
“He’s a hard horse to place,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “The Cal-bred stakes are a little bit hit and miss. We’ve tried him in open company on a few occasions, and they’ve proved to be a little tough.”
Owned by Rodney Orr of Silverton, Ore., Raised a Secret, 6, is part of a field of five in the optional claimer. The group includes Yiannis, who won the San Pedro Stakes for 3-year-olds here last April, and Spirit Rules, who the 2015 California Cup Sprint.
Race 2
KEY CONTENDERS
Raised a Secret, by Songandaprayer
Last 3 Beyers: 92-84-89
◗ Glatt considers this race a prep for stakes later this year, possibly the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Handicap for California-breds on July 4. In the Cal Cup Sprint, Raised a Secret was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by the 5-year-old mare Sunday Rules after trailing by a length in early stretch.
“Unfortunately, I knew it would be difficult to outrun that filly,” Glatt said. “He ran about as good as he can run. He got to her a bit at the top of the lane, and she got away from them. There wasn’t anything that could have been different to change the outcome.”
◗ Glatt must find a jockey to replace the injured Santiago Gonzalez. He had not named a rider as of Wednesday.
◗ Raised a Secret has won 5 of 27 starts and earned $451,610. He is best suited when racing from just off the pace, which could be beneficial Friday if the 10-time winner Kafister and Yiannis show their customary speed.
Yiannis, by Midshipman
Last 3 Beyers: 86-80-88
◗ Friday’s race will be the first start against older horses for the 4-year-old Yiannis, who races for Pete and Kosta Hronis and trainer John Sadler. Yiannis has won 3 of 4 starts, with the only setback a fourth in the Grade 3 Laz Barrera Stakes here last May. This will be the first start for Yiannis since a win in an optional claimer at Del Mar last August.
Spirit Rules, by Tribal Rule
Last 3 Beyers: 102-75-88
◗ A 7-year-old, Spirit Rules has not raced since winning an optional claimer at Del Mar last August. Trained by Paul Aguirre for a partnership, Spirit Rules has been effective at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile in recent seasons.