Santa Anita handicapping roundup: Week of Feb. 1

A filly to keep track of

Gary Stevens did not expect the move Diversy Harbor would deliver in race 6 last Sunday. The filly was a first-time starter in a turf sprint, bred to run long – by Curlin and a sibling to long-distance mares Keertana and Snow Top Mountain.

Stevens said the instructions from trainer Tom Proctor were to “find somebody to follow, and just try to pass some horses in the lane.” After crossing the dirt, her engine was revving up.

“It all changed in about three strides,” Stevens said. “Man, I better find someplace to go, quick.” He wheeled Diversy Harbor outside, and she unleashed a wicked rally. She went from 10th to first in the final furlong and won by nearly three lengths.

“I don’t think any of us were expecting that,” Stevens said. Remember the name – Diversy Harbor. The 3-year-old filly might be something special.
Meanwhile, the handicapping notebook is filling up, with stuff like this:

◗ After weeks of small-field drudgery (a 7.78 average field size into Jan. 23), it was good to see an uptick in field size last week, when the 35 races averaged 8.49 starters.

◗ I wonder how many West Coast horses make the cut when the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool (Feb. 6-8) opens next week. The leading candidates from California include California Chrome, Candy Boy, Indianapolis, Kristo, Midnight Hawk, and Shared Belief.

◗ Speaking of Shared Belief, it will be interesting to see if his problematic foot forces a move off Santa Anita dirt and onto synthetic. The issue is training, not racing. Shared Belief previously trained at Hollywood. He is by Candy Ride, and it remains unclear if his feet can withstand training on dirt.

◗ Artemis is the “showboat” choice to upset the Las Virgenes Stakes on Saturday. She is not far behind favorite Streaming on figures. To be taken seriously, the maiden she beat by a length last time, Lady Bugatti, needs to have run well Thursday in the second race.

◗ French jockey Flavien Prat is gaining momentum (2 for 11) halfway through his winter stay. The 19-year-old can finish, switch hands, and rides for top outfits here and in Europe. Prat also is a friendly fellow. It will be interesting to monitor his career, from afar. And – who knows? – maybe Prat will return to Santa Anita in the fall for a Breeders’ Cup mount.

◗ There had been 22 racing days this meet through Sunday, and I already had one losing streak that lasted more than 10 days. It was a miracle to somehow claw all the way back to break-even. I just have to avoid making ridiculous mistakes such as the next paragraph.

◗ Ready for More was a “bounce candidate” Sunday, jamming back 14 days after a career-best win. I was so certain he would not regress that I tabbed him “most probable winner.” What a genius. Ready for More did, in fact, bounce. He finished fifth.

◗ On his popular satellite-radio show “At the Races,” Steve Byk was reviewing Santa Anita pick six selections for Jan. 23. Byk was fascinated by a race-5 longshot he said was “bred top and bottom for the grass . . . a really interesting horse that could really jump forward on the grass.” Awesome Prospect, by Fullbridled, paid $29. Nice tab.

◗ Trainer Jorge Gutierrez forgot to notify owner John Toffan that Color of Courage was aiming to the Midnight Lute Stakes on Jan. 4. Toffan was upset and told his trainer to scratch the horse. Gutierrez did and got fined $1,000 (“penalty for late declaration”), after which Toffan transferred Color of Courage to trainer Richard Mandella.

◗ The 6-year-old Cyclometer has broken slowly in two straight races. He got away with it and defeated three foes Jan. 4 but could not overcome the miscue Jan. 25 and misfired as the California Cup Sprint favorite. It is never good when a veteran starts breaking poorly.

◗ Someone suggested that Summer Hit run Feb. 22 in the Sensational Star, a turf sprint. His style is ideal for the slalom. Front-runners who fade running long often make good bets down the hill. Summer Hit finished ninth in the nine-furlong California Cup Turf Classic.

◗ Speaking of turf sprints, you have to be happy for the old guy Lakerville. He scored a flashy victory Sunday in the Clocker’s Corner, his first start in 17 months. Barry Abrams trains Lakerville, who is headed next to the Sensational Star.

◗ Corey Nakatani rode Lakerville, and he rides No Jet Lag on Saturday in the Grade 2 Arcadia. If Nakatani can get No Jet Lag covered, find room to rally, and reproduce his autumn form, he might post an off-the-pace upset over good comebacker Suggestive Boy.

◗ Do trainers give instructions to jockeys? “I never give instructions,” one trainer said last week. “The only instructions I give: Ride like you own him and you need the money.”

◗ Not that anyone noticed, but 2012 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Mario Gutierrez entered the week with a grand total of three wins from 70 mounts.

◗ Dwyer Stakes winner Moreno galloped Tuesday for the first time since a splint-bone injury in the Breeders’ Cup. His tentative comeback is late April. Stay tuned.

◗ He rarely rides at Santa Anita, but it’s worth noting that exactly six years ago, on Feb. 1, 2008, at Golden Gate Fields, Russell Baze rode his 10,000th winner. Two Step Cat paid $4.80.