Sensitively looks too hot to stop
ARCADIA, Calif. – Sensitively has won two optional claimers at six furlongs this year by a combined 9 3/4 lengths. Trainer Phil D’Amato said the performances reflect his expectations for the 4-year-old filly.
“She’s getting better and better,” he said.
Sensitively was 1-5 when she won an optional claimer April 7 and will be a very short price to win her third consecutive race in a third-condition optional claimer at six furlongs at Santa Anita on Thursday.
Sensitively is part of a field of six that includes the stakes winners Ben’s Duchess, Dr. Fager’s Gal, and Harlington’s Rose.
KEY CONTENDERS
Sensitively, by Street Sense
Last 3 Beyers: 97-96-77
◗ Sensitively’s form this year is a big improvement from her 3-year-old season in 2015, when she beat maidens in her debut by 9 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita in February but finished no better than fourth in three subsequent starts.
“There was a culmination of things that went awry after she broke her maiden,” D’Amato said. “She got sick and never recovered from it. She’s come back and run like the filly that broke her maiden.”
◗ Owned by Anthony Fanticola and Joe Scardino, Sensitively will be ridden by Tyler Baze, who has been aboard for the filly’s last three starts.
◗ D’Amato said the filly’s quickness is an asset.
“She’s got 21 and 43 speed,” he said.
◗ If Sensitively wins on Thursday, she could start in the $75,000 Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs on June 18, D’Amato said.
Ben’s Duchess, by Munnings
Last 3 Beyers: 75-86-40
◗ Ben’s Duchess has been erratic this year, finishing last of nine in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes in January, second in the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes in March, and sixth in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos on April 23. Ben’s Duchess raced wide into the long stretch at Los Alamitos in the Great Lady M. and finished 10 3/4 lengths behind the winner, Finest City.
◗ Ben’s Duchess drew the rail in Thursday’s race. She is a closer and is likely to have a pace to follow from Sensitively and the Northern California import Fast and Foxy.
Dr. Fager’s Gal, by Wild Desert
Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-56
◗ Dr. Fager’s Gal is winless in four starts since taking the Beverly Lewis Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos last September. Earlier this spring, Dr. Fager’s Gal was fourth in the Camilla Urso Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in March and fifth in the Great Lady M.
◗ Dr. Fager’s Gal is a stalker. She may have trouble catching Sensitively if the favorite zooms off to her customary lead.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Harlington’s Rose. Trainer Steve Knapp is 37-9-1-6 with a $4.09 ROI over the past five years in dirt races with Joe Talamo aboard (35 for 444 with other jockeys in that time). Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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