Smiling Annie steps up on short rest

Based on “what have you done for me lately,” Smiling Annie should be untouchable Friday at Santa Anita. The veteran mare has done a lot lately, as in just six days ago.

Less than a week after she clobbered an easy field in a starter allowance, Smiling Annie wheels back and moves up in class for the Friday feature, a turf sprint for California-bred fillies and mares. The timing is not ideal, but trainer Mark Glatt’s logic is sound.

“If you’re going to try a horse on a quick run-back, which I don’t typically do, the biggest key is evaluating how hard the race was on them,” Glatt said. His description of her front-running win Saturday: “As easy as it gets.”

Smiling Annie sped to the lead in the turf sprint, opened up on the turn, got a half-mile in a tepid 45.89 seconds, and cruised by 3 1/2 lengths under Abel Cedillo.

:: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more.

Glatt and owner-breeders Al and Sandee Kirkwood had two options with Smiling Annie afterward – wheel her back in six days, or wait six weeks for the next California-bred turf sprint on July 26 at Del Mar. They chose to be aggressive, pending Smiling Annie’s condition. Early this week she was eating well, on her toes, and considered a “go” for Friday.

“We can always [scratch] if, over the next couple days, we don’t think she’s bounced back in time,” Glatt said midweek. “But as easy of a race as it appeared to be, we decided to put her in there and see how she’s doing.”

In addition to sharp form, Smiling Annie benefits from a versatile upfront style and modest rivals in the race-7 feature. Harper’s Gallop won a fast-pace claiming turf mile last out; lightly raced Noor Khan won an ordinary maiden dirt race and can improve; trouble-prone Donut Girl will rally; also-eligible Loud Loud Music would add speed.

Glatt has been rolling since racing resumed last month – 13 wins and 11 seconds from 40 starters. The totals could increase Friday. Smiling Annie is among Glatt entrants in five of the nine races, including legit contenders in a maiden turf mile split in two divisions.

Eastern Ocean finished a troubled second last out and is among the favorites in race 1; Go Slo Mo finished a better-than-looked fifth in his career debut and enters with a legitimate upset chance in race 3.

Meanwhile, the most probable winner Friday is in the ninth and final race. On Mars, runner-up last out after breaking in a tangle, figures solidly favored in the turf mile for California-bred maiden fillies and mares. Her most recent start was her first around two turns.

“She came out of the race in really good shape, [two turns] is what she wants to do,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “My other filly [Too Hot for Curlin] was running pretty strongly, too. I’ve got two nice shots.”