Royal F J has good shot at repeat

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 7-year-old gelding Royal F J has been an ally to exacta and trifecta bettors, finishing second or third in 23 of his 58 starts. He has not been as accommodating to win bettors, with five victories in his career.

Royal F J has won one race annually since 2010. He won an optional claimer at Santa Anita on May 24 and is back in the same sort of race on the hillside turf course in Friday’s sixth race. Trainer Jack Carava is hoping Royal F J can finally achieve the breakthrough of a second win in a calendar year.

“I told the owner, ‘I hope that’s not his only win this year,’ ” Carava said “I’ve had him since he was a yearling. He’s a cool old horse.”

Racing for Howard and Janet Siegel, Royal F J has earned $421,020. He was third in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby in 2010 but has run primarily in optional claimers or high-priced claimers in recent years. On Friday, Royal F J is entered for a $62,500 claiming price.

Carava said Royal F J is not the most honest competitor, which explains the 14 seconds and 9 third-place finishes.

“He moves up alongside horses, and he’s got that herd mentality,” Carava said. “He’ll [win] once in a while. You always have confidence he’ll run some sort of race. He doesn’t have that killer instinct.”

On May 24, Royal F J closed from last in the field of six to finish a head in front of the 3-year-old Guns Loaded, who is part of Friday’s field. Martin Garcia was aboard for Royal F J’s win and retains the mount Friday.

Royal F J is part of a field of seven in the race at about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf and is the only entrant to have won his last race.

Other contenders include Stormberg, who was third behind Royal F J and Guns Loaded on May 24, and Giant Ego, who was third in a $50,000 claimer May 22 but has yet to start on turf.

Guns Loaded, trained by Cody Autrey, started on turf for the first time May 24. He was third in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar last summer.

Trainer Carla Gaines has entered Finallygotabentley, a 4-year-old Bernardini colt who won the Auburn Handicap at Emerald Downs last June. Friday’s race will be Finallygotabentley’s first start on turf.