Santa Anita: Quiet Force poised for big run in Friday feature

ARCADIA, Calif. – Quiet Force was an unlucky fourth in an optional claimer at Santa Anita on Sept. 29, stuck in traffic in the stretch before losing by two lengths to Tom’s Tribute.

Nearly a month later, the performance looks better. Tom’s Tribute returned to win the Uniformity Stakes on the hillside turf course last Sunday.

Quiet Force will have a chance for his second win when he runs in an optional claimer over 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Friday. It is not the first time trainer Richard Mandella has had high hopes for Quiet Force, who races for Alain and Gerard Wertheimer.

“I keep expecting a better run and I think I will get it,” Mandella said.

With a better trip on Sept. 29, Mandella thinks that Quiet Force “would have been closer” to Tom’s Tribute, but may not have won.

The biggest danger to Quiet Force may be stablemate Power Ped, a maiden race winner here Sept. 27 for Mandella and Stepaside Farms. A gelding who has made seven starts, Power Ped has impressed Mandella with his development since August.

“Power Ped has come on since the middle of Del Mar,” he said. “He’s been improving and improving.

“I like them both.”

Quiet Force breaks from the rail in a field of eight, with the temporary rails set 30 feet out from the inside position.

Aside from Power Ped, there are three others who won their last start – My Friend Jimmy, This One’s For Mel, and Tortola. My Friend Jimmy won a starter allowance over 1 1/8 miles on turf Oct. 4; This One’s For Me won a one-mile turf race for $50,000 claimers Oct. 11; and Tortola beat maidens Oct. 12.

Trainer John Sadler starts Spring Up, who was second to Tom’s Tribute on Sept. 29 in his turf debut. Spring Up is the only horse in Friday’s seventh race entered to be claimed for $80,000. He was claimed for $20,000 from a maiden race at Del Mar in July.

“He improved the first time on grass,” Sadler said. “I expect him to run well. He’s turned out to be a good claim.”