Secret Thorn should fire fresh in turf sprint

DEL MAR, Calif. – Secret Thorn showed an ability to run well fresh when she captured her debut last summer at Del Mar, so trainer Dan Blacker is hoping she can do the same this summer at Del Mar when she returns from a long layoff on Thursday in race 6, an optional claimer for California-bred females going five furlongs on turf.

Secret Thorn never has raced on grass, but her sire, Thorn Song, was a two-time Grade 1 winner on turf. More significantly for Secret Thorn, Blacker said she has trained very well coming into the race.

“She’s doing really well right now,” Blacker said. “She’s got a grass pedigree, and she’s very fast.”

Secret Thorn won a maiden race for statebreds first time out, then finished fourth in an allowance race last September at Los Alamitos. This is her first start since then.

“She had a chip in an ankle,” Blacker said. “We took it out and gave her time.”

Ten are entered in the race, but with the rails set 30 feet from their innermost position, only eight can run, so there are two also-eligibles. One of them, Be a Lady, is the only horse entered for the $20,000 claiming price. All others are using their allowance condition.

KEY CONTENDERS

Secret Thorn, by Thorn Song

Beyers: 58-60

◗ She has keen speed, but Blacker hopes she “relaxes a little out of the gate.”

◗ John Harris bred and owns Secret Thorn.

Merrily Merrily, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 76-67-66

◗ She comes off a second-place finish against similar company, albeit on dirt, at Los Alamitos on July 6.

◗ In her lone turf sprint, she was fourth down the hill at Santa Anita on June 24.

◗ This will be her third grass race but her first at Del Mar.

Winemenow, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 62-75-74

◗ She has been freshened since a fourth down the hill at Santa Anita on May 12, but her two prior races, including a win against maidens down the hill at Santa Anita on Feb. 3, would make her formidable here.

La Premiere Etoile, by Square Eddie

Last 3 Beyers: 61-69-50

◗ She is the only horse in the field with a win over this course, which came going two turns against maidens last summer. She went off form after that and was given a lengthy vacation. This is her first start since Dec. 29.