Santa Anita: Ashley's Bambino tries to make it two straight

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ashley’s Bambino can win consecutive races for the first time in his career when the 6-year-old gelding starts in an optional claimer on turf at Santa Anita on Friday. That he is in this position is a minor miracle considering what happened to Ashley’s Bambino at Hollywood Park on Nov. 8.

Ashley’s Bambino broke through the gate before the start of an allowance race on turf that day. He unseated his rider and ran loose on the infield of the turf course, completing nearly three circuits of the one-mile course before being caught by outriders.

“He had cuts on his hind end,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “It could have ended really badly.”

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Ashley’s Bambino recovered to win an allowance race for California-breds over 1 1/16 miles on turf in his next start, the final day of racing at Hollywood Park, Dec. 22.

“That was the best race he’s run,” Eurton said.

The style of that win, closing from third in a field of eight to win by 2 1/4 lengths, has left Eurton encouraged about trying the 1 1/4 miles of Friday’s race. Ashley’s Bambino has never run at 1 1/4 miles in nine starts. Eurton said it will be vital for jockey Joe Talamo to coax patience from Ashley’s Bambino.

“I think he has a nice cruising speed and will do well if he doesn’t do too much too early,” Eurton said.

The optional claimer has several contenders, including Boyett, Maxx the Giant, and Vibrato Jazz.

Boyett is likely to set the pace. A 4-year-old gelding trained by Mark Glatt, Boyett won a $62,500 claimer on turf over 1 1/16 miles at Hollywood Park on Nov. 14 and was second in an allowance race over 1 1/8 miles on turf Dec. 14.

Maxx the Giant beat maidens in a turf race over 1 1/16 miles at Hollywood Park on Dec. 22, his 15th career start. He led throughout that race, but does not need the lead, trainer Jim Cassidy said.

“He’ll be on the lead or tracking,” Cassidy said. “I don’t think the distance will be a problem. The pace will be pretty slow.”

Vibrato Jazz was third in a $50,000 claimer over 1 1/8 miles on turf Jan. 3. He finished first in an optional claimer over 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar in August, but was disqualified and placed second for causing interference.

“He didn’t have a good trip the other day,” trainer John Sadler said of the Jan. 3 race. “He got blocked on the inside.

“He’s an unlucky horse. He comes from off the pace. He can be a victim of a slow pace and a victim of himself.”