Santa Anita: Carryover-seekers may single Camelia Rose
ARCADIA, Calif. – Well-regarded French import Camelia Rose makes her U.S. debut Thursday at Santa Anita. The timing is perfect for the filly, and for horseplayers.
Camelia Rose is a potential “single” for pick-six bettors targeting a one-day carryover of $135,405. The pick six is races 3-8.
As for the filly, Camelia Rose will use the nine-furlong allowance to prep for a graded stakes campaign for trainer Simon Callaghan and owner J. Paul Reddam. Expectations into the race-7 feature are extraordinarily high.
“We hope she could run really well, and then possibly step up to the stakes races in March and April – the mile and an eighth, and mile and a quarter,” Callaghan said, referring to the Grade 2 Santa Ana Stakes on March 25 and Grade 2 Santa Barbara Handicap on April 21.
It is an ambitious plan for which Camelia Rose is qualified. She won 2 of 8 in France, and though unplaced three tries against group company, she finished close in each including a 1 1/4-lengt loss in May in a Group 1 at Longchamp.
As the 2011 European season wound down, Camelia Rose was shopped around. “She was presented to myself and [Reddam], and we really liked her,” Callaghan said. “She had stakes form in France, and we believe she’s going to fit in that division here.”
Reddam purchased Camelia Rose for an undisclosed amount and brought her to the United States soon after her European campaign concluded Aug. 27. The 4-year-old filly is the first horse Callaghan has trained for Reddam.
“It’s exciting to have a horse for him,” Callaghan said. “Mr. Reddam is a very prominent owner, and he wants horses to race at the very top levels.”
Callaghan, a 28-year-old Englishman, has trained stateside since 2010 and already made an impact winning Grade 1 turf races with Dubawi Heights, and graded stakes with Up In Time and Turning Top. Callaghan’s win rate in the United States is 18 percent (29 for 158).
Callaghan runners generally race their way into condition. But even though the Thursday nonwinners-of-two allowance is a mere comeback, Callaghan hinted strongly Camelia Rose is ready to fire. “I think she will improve from the race, but I really do like her,” he said.
Jockey Joel Rosario has worked Camelia Rose, whose main rival is Thisismystage, an improving filly owned by Class Racing Stable and trained by Craig Dollase. In her most recent start Jan. 6 under identical conditions, Thisismystage missed by a nose while finishing nearly four lengths clear of third. She has won 2 of 8, and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza.
Other entrants in the $60,000 allowance include Chokecherymary, upset winner of the Valentine Dancer Stakes for statebreds; Glowing Spirit, a possible pacesetter; Score Boyera, shipping from Florida; Anniversary Girl; and Warren’s Got Game.
Camelia Rose is the 8-5 favorite on track linemaker Jon White’s morning line, and will be one of the most heavily fancied runners in the pick six. Officials expect the pool will top $750,000.
SANTA ANITA PICK SIX CARRYOVER: Live Streaming Video, PPs, selections & analysis
Below is a capsule look at the five other pick-six races.
Race 3 is a one-mile turf race for $25,000 claiming fillies and mares, nonwinners in 2011-12. Five Silver Stars, runner-up in four straight, is the expected favorite. Cactus Flyer and Sarasota Sunshine are speed. Tiz a Bud Girl and longshot Quiet Advice will roll late.
Race 4 is a six-furlong sprint for $50,000 maiden-claiming 3-year-old fillies. Special-weight dropper Lady Vivien and second-time starter T J’s Stormy Wit are top contenders. Recent runners-up Poppy Field and Dance Thewayyouare will attract support.
Race 5, a turf sprint for $50,000 claiming fillies and mares, includes a potential single. Pace-presser Salty Sarah gets an advantageous scenario in a race lacking speed, His trainer, Bob Baffert, won 13 consecutive races before the streak ended Sunday.
Race 6, 5 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-old fillies, $20,000 claiming, includes dropper Real Dream, and speedsters One Magical Girl and Help Me Hannah.
Race 8 is a 5 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, $30,000 maiden-claiming. Contenders include second-start dropper Queen Mercury and first-time starter Banana Split.