Right Angle jumping into allowance ranks
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Right Angle was claimed for $25,000 at Santa Anita on April 12 by a three-man partnership. They are shooting for a big prize if Right Angle wins his comeback in a $48,000 allowance race for California-breds over 6 1/2 furlongs at Hollywood Park on Friday night. A win would give the partners their investment back - and a little more.
"That would be a wish come true for us," said Mike Marlow, who trains Right Angle for the partnership of John Barker, Phil Daniels, and Rick Starr.
Right Angle, a 3-year-old gelding, was a four-length winner in his last start, his third victory in five starts in 2002.
The race also was the third consecutive race in which he was claimed. He was taken for $20,000 by trainer Ruben Cardenas on Feb. 15, by Jack Carava for $25,000 on March 29, and then by Marlow.
"Since I've had him he's matured a little bit," Marlow said. "We had him in for $62,500 a month ago, but he got sick on us. Maybe it all happened for a good reason. We missed about two weeks with him. After that he really blossomed."
Right Angle is one of two starters who won their last races, joined by Treasured Note, who won a starter allowance race for sprinters on May 17.
With the exception of Ride and Shine, who finished third in the Valiant Pete Handicap at Santa Anita on April 19, the field lacks major race experience.
The top contenders include R Meadow Luck, who was a close second at 66-1 against a similar field on May 25; Bettor Royalty, who has been third at this level in two starts at this meeting for Carava; and Public Domain, a sharp maiden winner on April 28.
Bettor Royalty has won 4 of 24 starts, but is still eligible for this first-condition allowance race since his previous wins came in claiming races. He was beaten two lengths in an allowance race on June 7.
The quick turnaround may not pose a problem, since Bettor Royalty won off a 16-day break on April 19 in a $50,000 claimer at Santa Anita.
Marlow admits he and the partnership have little to lose by trying an ex-claimer such as Right Angle in an allowance race.
"It's a big jump from where we took him to this level, but I like the way he's doing things," Marlow said. "Being a California-bred, this was a good opportunity. If it fails, we can be more realistic about it and drop him back down."
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