Secret Spice must overcome rail draw in allowance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Three-year-old fillies are beginning to emerge at Santa Anita, where undefeated Dream Tree and arch rival Midnight Bisou are in command.

But the division is expanding. Grade 1 winner Moonshine Memories returned last week to prepare for a spring sprint campaign; Spring Lily’s maiden romp Sunday earned a stakes-caliber 88 Beyer Speed Figure; Grade 2 winner Spectator is up to a half-mile in comeback works.

Additional reinforcements arrive Friday in the featured eighth race at Santa Anita, an entry-level allowance for 3-year-old sprint fillies that includes auspicious debut winners Emboldened, Ahimsa, Highland Lass, and Ms Dupree.

The field also includes multiple California-bred winner Show It N Moe It and droppers Allianna, Streetwithnoname, and Secret Spice. Richard Baltas trains Secret Spice, possibly the horse to beat after finishing third last out in the Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar. Her challenge Friday is post position.

“I’m not happy about the rail, of course not,” Baltas said. “Especially going six and a half, it’s like the worst spot. But what am I going to do? I drew the rail in three sprints.”

Baltas, who started more horses this meet (10 for 72) than any trainer, has runners in six races Friday. Papa Jazz is a longshot in race 1; Pasadena Princess and Flammetta could be one-two favorites in race 2; Majestic Design is live in race 4, despite the rail; Easter Morn drew the rail but is the horse to beat in race 6; Studly Perfection tries turf in race 7.

Secret Spice in race 8 also drew the rail, which has not produced a winner at 6 1/2 furlongs since Dec. 30. Entering the Friday card, the rail is 1 for 20 at the distance.

“It’s not going to be the easiest of trips,” Baltas acknowledged. “There’s plenty of speed in there. I think she’s ready.”

Secret Spice has won 1 of 4 starts and exits a hot race. One-two finishers Dream Tree and Midnight Bisou – “the two best fillies here,” Baltas said – won stakes next out; fourth-place Ms Bad Behavior won an allowance; fifth-place Smiling Tigress finished second.

Prior to the feature, Baltas-trained Easter Morn looks solid in race 6, a maiden sprint for older California-breds. Last out, Easter Morn ran super. He missed the break, rushed, and finished second. With a clean break Friday, he should be tough.

Baltas planned to school Easter Morn at the gate Wednesday and Thursday, “just to make sure” he breaks.

“He came out of the race good and had two good works afterward,” Baltas said. “I expect him to be the horse to beat, even though he does have the rail.”