Rosie My Rosie seeking big payday in allowance

DEL MAR, Calif. – Rosie My Rosie has been around the block a time or two. She has made 40 starts on the Midwest circuit and won 10.

But the Pacific Ocean has not appeared on her itinerary until Wednesday, when she will make her California debut as the key player in Del Mar’s featured seventh race, a first-level allowance/optional $40,000 claiming route.

Nine fillies and mares entered the one-mile dirt race, and though the consistently undervalued That’s a Lady is the program favorite, the 7-year-old Rosie My Rosie might be the one to beat.

Rosie My Rosie is trained by Bob Hess Jr., who took advantage of Del Mar’s “ship and win” bonus program last week with wins by Zuzanna and Tisdale. The ship-and-win program offers a $1,500 stipend and 30 percent purse bonus to horses who ship from out of state to race at Del Mar.

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Although the purse of the first-level allowance Wednesday is $62,000, Rosie My Rosie could earn nearly $50,000 if she wins ($37,200 winner’s share, $11,160 purse bonus, $1,500 bonus to start).

Of course, Rosie My Rosie is likely to be claimed, the same as the Hess-trained Zuzanna and Tisdale. But owner Summertime Racing can still make a score. Rosie My Rosie was claimed for $32,000 in June. If she wins and is claimed for $40,000 on Wednesday, gross proceeds would be nearly three times her original claim price.

Based on standard handicapping principles, Rosie My Rosie has a lot going for her. She won multiple times at higher class levels than the Wednesday race, her best speed figures are suitable for the level, and her recent form is acceptable.

Rosie My Rosie’s main challenge is a track profile that favors forwardly placed runners. During the first three weeks of the meet, 13 of the 17 one-mile dirt races were won by a horse positioned in the first three after the opening half-mile. Rosie My Rosie is a closer.

Other starters include the lightly raced Just a Little Hope, the stretching out Reiki Baby, the surface switcher Mistressofthenight, and That’s a Lady.

KEY CONTENDERS

Rosie My Rosie, by Purge
Last 3 Beyers: 67-69-78

◗ She has started at six tracks: Oaklawn Park, Arlington Park, Fonner Park, Hawthorne, Churchill Downs, and Fair Grounds.

◗ She has won more races (10) than the rest of the field combined (nine). She is the only starter entered for the $40,000 optional claiming price.

Just a Little Hope, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 80-84-79

◗ She has raced only three times, has been in the money in all three, and returns to dirt after a creditable third in a turf allowance against 3-year-old fillies.

Misstressofthenight, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 76-78-74

◗ A return to dirt against modest company suits the filly. Prior to a turf race last out, she faced Union Strike and Unique Bella in stakes.

That’s a Lady, by City Zip

Last 3 Beyers: 82-80-80

◗ She finished third last out in a stakes race; in three previous starts, she was the beaten favorite at the same class level that she tries Wednesday.