Signature Cat can reward connections in Thursday optional claimer
CYPRESS, Calif. – Signature Cat was claimed for $32,000 at Santa Anita in June, the day the 3-year-old gelding finished last of six. The investment has looked more solid since then.
In his three starts since June, Signature Cat has been second twice and finished fourth. There could be a very healthy payoff if Signature Cat can end a seven-race losing streak in an optional claimer for California-breds at 5 1/2 furlongs Thursday at Los Alamitos.
Signature Cat is part of a field of six and drew the outside post.
“He runs his race, and I think one day it will be good enough,” said trainer Phil D’Amato. “Hopefully, it will be Thursday.”
Key contenders
Signature Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 78-76-70)
* Signature Cat is owned by the Little Red Feather Racing partnership. Billy Koch, president of Little Red Feather, suggested the claim, said D’Amato.
* Signature Cat has won 2 of 14 starts. His wins came at Santa Anita in February and March when trained by Eric Guillot for Southern Equine Stable. Signature Cat has earned $25,520 since being claimed, with all three starts against California-breds.
* After finishing fourth in an allowance race at five furlongs on turf in August, Signature Cat was second in an optional claimer at six furlongs on dirt Oct. 4 at Santa Anita and second in an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf Nov. 19 at Del Mar.
* On Thursday, Signature Cat will be ridden by Edwin Maldonado, who might try for the lead or stalk the likely pacesetter One More Roll.
“I think he drew well,” D’Amato said of Signature Cat.
One More Roll (Last 3 Beyers: 82-73-56)
* One More Roll has run in sprints for Thoroughbreds and in an 870-yard race for Quarter Horses in recent months. He was second last out in a $16,000 claimer Aug. 29 at Del Mar and was claimed that day by trainer Bill Spawr.
* One More Roll has drawn the rail and will be ridden by Mario Gutierrez, who was aboard for a win with the 3-year-old gelding in a $16,000 claimer July 22 at Del Mar.
Cartoonist (Last 3 Beyers: 53-78-66)
* Cartoonist was second in the Golden Nugget Stakes for 2-year-olds at Golden Gate Fields in November 2014. This year, Cartoonist has won 2 of 5 starts, including a $12,500 claimer Oct. 1 at Golden Gate Fields, after which he was claimed by current owner Scott Herbertson and trainer Jonathan Wong.
* In his only start for them, Cartoonist was fifth of seven in the $100,000 Harris Farms Stakes at six furlongs Oct. 11 at the Big Fresno Fair. Cartoonist fought for the lead in that race before fading in the final furlong.