Ritzy A.P. auditions for Rainbow or Oceanside stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ritzy A.P. was bounced around at the start of the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 6 enough for the incident to leave him at the back of the field early in the race.

Ritzy A.P. eventually finished sixth and recovered from the effort so quickly that the colt has been entered in an optional claimer for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Thursday.

“The 12-day turnaround is not my normal M.O.,” trainer Dan Blacker said. “He came back really well. It didn’t seem like it took a lot out of him at all. He’s galloping really strongly every day, almost better than before the race.”

Ritzy A.P. is part of a field of nine that could produce a runner or two for stakes such as the $75,000 Rainbow Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on June 10 or the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes at a mile at Del Mar on July 19.

The optional claimer is the fifth race on an eight-race program that begins with a carryover of $136,859 in the single-ticket jackpot pool of the pick six.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ritzy A.P., by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 79-83-76

◗ Owned by Calumet Farm, Ritzy A.P. won a maiden race at a mile on turf in February in his second start and was later fifth in the Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf in March.

◗ In the American Turf Stakes, Ritzy A.P. was last of 10 after the tough start and finished seven lengths behind race winner Arklow.

◗ Victor Espinoza has been the regular rider of Ritzy A.P. and has the mount Thursday.

“He got severely hampered at the break,” Blacker said. “Victor had to take him back to last, and he hasn’t been in that position before. He still made a good run at the end in testing ground. I was proud of him. He ran sixth in a good group of horses.”

Sorry Erik, by Wilburn
Last 3 Beyers: 83-77-72

◗ Sorry Erik has not raced since finishing fifth behind Girvin in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on April 1.

◗ Owned by Big Chief Racing, Sorry Erik was claimed for $20,000 by trainer Keith Desormeaux in January and won an optional claimer at a mile on dirt Feb. 2 when eligible to be claimed for $75,000.

◗ Sorry Erik was last of 12 in the Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf here last October when trained by Doug O’Neill. Desormeaux said he is using the optional claimer as a prep for the Grade 2 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 24.

“He has the class, will love the distance, and is ready to roll,” Desormeaux said in a text message.

Ky. Colonel, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 73-79-38

◗ Ky. Colonel has had mixed form in two starts on turf this year. The colt was second by a head in an optional claimer at a mile Feb. 5 but last of six after a slow start on the hillside turf course March 24.

◗ This will be the longest start of Ky. Colonel’s career.