In a season of favorites, Friday choices are facing new challenges

ARCADIA, Calif. – The season-long parade of winning favorites could hit a snag Friday at Santa Anita, where top contenders in three allowance races face challenges that include distance, surface, and class.

Trainer Craig Lewis acknowledged uncertainty with his pair. Last-out maiden winner Two by Four is sprint to route, dirt to turf in race 1, a California-bred turf mile. Ruff Ride seeks her third straight while up in class from California-bred to open in race 7, going from a mile to 1 1/4 miles.

“You can’t talk them into the winner’s circle, they have to do it,” Lewis said. “I think they’re capable, but I’m nervous about it.”

A similar challenge applies to Princess of Time in race 6. Michael McCarthy trains the speedster, who will try to improve on her last-out maiden win in the six-furlong allowance. The class hike from maiden to winners ranks among the biggest hurdles in racing.

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But the obstacles Friday seem less daunting in this winter of predictability. Since the Santa Anita meet began in late December, favorites have run amok, winning 46 percent of races (122 of 263), including 51 percent on dirt and 42 percent on turf.

Race-1 entrant Two by Four would be a proper favorite over turf-route maiden winner Lamporghini, a filly facing boys, and stretch-outs Stagger Lee and Mischief Causeway. Two by Four is by any-distance stallion Clubhouse Ride, but he was produced by a sprint dam.

“I think he’s a promising horse,” Lewis said. “But when you do something different with a horse it’s always a question. And we’re doing two new things [route, turf]. We’re hopeful he’s as good as we think he is.”

Two by Four sprinted on dirt his first two starts, closing from far off the pace to finish second by a neck and first by a head. Flavien Prat rides the gelding, whose main rival is Lamporghini. She defeated California-bred maiden fillies last out in front-running fashion.

Race-7 entrant Ruff Ride faces a tougher task in the entry-level allowance for fillies and mares. Both recent wins were a mile on turf. It’s a new game at 1 1/4 miles.

“It’s very different,” Lewis said, referring to distance. “But she gives the appearance she’ll run all day. She gives every appearance she’ll relish” 1 1/4 miles.

Juan Hernandez rides Ruff Ride, whose closing style makes her vulnerable in a race short on true speed. Sakura Flavor adds blinkers and is likely to be forwardly placed. Favoritism is up for grabs, the contenders include pace-pressing comebacker Freedom Lass and Rebel Girl.

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Race-6 entrant Princess of Time was off nearly a year when she returned Jan. 28 with a front-running maiden win that earned a modest 73 Beyer Speed Figure. Prat rides her back; she can improve. Rivals include veteran Kristi’s Tiger, entered for the $50,000 optional claiming price; Class Clown, shortening to her preferred sprint trip; and Jensco.

Favoritism is uncertain, but the tote board is worth a look. Santa Anita bettors this winter have nailed dirt-sprint winners with uncanny regularity – favorites have won 54 percent (45 for 84).

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