Santa Anita handicapping roundup: Week of Feb. 8

Sadler sick of seconds

The winter meet has not gone according to plan for trainer John Sadler, who has been plagued by seconds and thirds.

“I’m used to doing better than I’m doing,” he said this week.

Sadler entered the week with 5 wins, 15 seconds, and 9 thirds from 61 starters. Through Feb. 2, his most recent 14 starters had produced 0 wins, 6 seconds, and 3 thirds. The funk could end Saturday, when Sadler starts Kentucky Derby candidate Candy Boy in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis and Vagabond Shoes in the Grade 2 San Marcos.

Sadler joked to a handicapper, “Maybe you should start picking me second.” That is not going to happen because the truth is that Sadler trainees are running well. Sweet Swap may have been best in finishing second in his Jan. 26 comeback (off slowly), and Iotapa may have been best in finishing second in her Jan. 25 comeback (wide trip).

Las Virgenes doubts

Was the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes on Feb. 1 a good race? The first half-mile was run in 46.36 seconds, and the second half in 50.93. Fashion Plate wired the field and earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure.

It would be foolish to knock speed, but the fast-early, slow-late race shape left many questions unanswered. One year ago, the Las Virgenes pacesetter went slow early and fast late (first half in 47.55 seconds, second half in 48.59). She wired the field and earned a 96 Beyer. She also turned out to be a very good 3-year-old filly – Beholder.

Speaking of Beholder, she returned to Santa Anita last Sunday and resumed daily gallops Monday. Her long-range goal is the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps in the spring at Belmont Park.

“What we do between now and then will be up to her,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

The excitable Beholder marches to her own beat and usually ends up in the winner’s circle.

Multiple entries

It is interesting when jockeys address strategy in races with multiple entries from the same stable. Rafael Bejarano guided the Neil Drysdale-trained Winning Prize to victory Feb. 1 in the Grade 2 Arcadia. Winning Prize stalked pacesetter Regally Ready, trained by Steve Asmussen, who also sent out Unbridled’s Note.

After the race, Bejarano said: “I knew there was some speed in here, especially Asmussen, with his two horses. I thought he would send one to the lead and let his other come from behind.”

A day later, Bejarano rode Wild Dude to victory in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Hollendorfer sent out two other horses in the Palos Verdes: pacesetter Moonshine Bay, ridden by Gary Stevens, and the late-running Sahara Sky. Moonshine Bay hounded the favored Secret Circle from the outside, and Wild Dude ($19.20) won from behind.

After the race, Bejarano said: “I knew with three horses in the race for Mr. Hollendorfer, I knew Gary was going to send on Moonshine Bay to put a little pressure on the favorite.”

Secret Circle disappointed. Breeders’ Cup Sprint winners should be able to put away allowance-caliber pressure. Secret Circle did not.

No more 'Jet Lag'

No horse has been more disappointing in Santa Anita turf stakes than No Jet Lag. He looked like a layover Dec. 26 in the Sir Beaufort and finished seventh. He was worth a bet Feb. 1 in the Arcadia and finished sixth. No more No Jet Lag for this bettor.

◗ Bet a little, win a lot. Kalic Chambers, who fashioned a $56,017.60 pick-six victory two weeks ago on a $96 ticket, is Tom Quigley’s guest Saturday at the Santa Anita handicapping seminar at 11:20 a.m. Pacific (available at santaanita.com and calracing.com).

◗ Saturday race-4 first-timer Nashoba’s Gold is a Smart Strike half-sister to Grade 1 winner Nashoba’s Key, who won her career debut for trainer Carla Gaines in a turf route Jan. 13, 2007. Gaines already sprang one upset this meet with a first-timer in a turf route: Texas Ryano paid $51.80 on Jan. 20. His sire is Smart Strike.