Santa Anita: Hollywood Turf Express likely target for A Toast to You

A Toast to You has seen the last of claiming races for the foreseeable future, following his upset win in the California Flag Handicap on the hillside turf course last Saturday.

Trainer Peter Miller said after the race that he and owners Gary and Cecil Barber had debated whether to run A Toast to You in a $25,000 claimer or the California Flag. They opted for the stakes, which gave A Toast to You his first stakes win in an 18-1 upset.

Sunday, Miller jokingly said he and the Barbers were debating a $40,000 claimer or a Breeders’ Cup race for his next start. Those races are not in the equation. In all likelihood, A Toast to You will reappear in the $100,000 Hollywood Turf Express at six furlongs on turf at Betfair Hollywood Park.

“That’s a logical spot,” Miller said.

A 4-year-old gelding by Tribal Rule, A Toast to You has won 6 of 20 starts and earned $352,872. The California Flag Handicap ended a 10-race losing streak for A Toast to You, dating back to Oct. 14, 2012.

Miller had three winners on Saturday and one on Sunday. Thursday, Miller has one starter – Amy Jane in the third race, a maiden race for 2-year-old fillies on the hillside turf course.

Leading riders tightly bunched

The jockey race at the current Santa Anita autumn meeting may come down to closing day, Nov. 3.

Through Sunday, Rafael Bejarano led all riders with 17 wins, closely followed by Edwin Maldonado (15), Joe Talamo (14), Mike Smith (11), and Gary Stevens (10).

With only eight days of racing left at the meeting, a routine program such as Thursday’s eight-race program may play a pivotal role in the outcome.

The standings could tighten on Thursday. Bejarano has just four mounts, with one on the also-eligible list. Maldonado is busiest with five mounts, while Talamo has four.

Interestingly, Hall of Famers Smith and Stevens have only one mount. They ride the featured seventh race, an allowance race on the hillside turf course. Smith is on Moulin de Mougin, while Stevens is aboard Smooth Talker.