Smuggler's Run sticks with turf after disappointing last start

ARCADIA, Calif. – The filly Professors’ Pride will not get a chance at redemption anytime soon, but the colt Smuggler’s Run certainly will.

The talented 3-year-olds entered separate California-bred allowance turf races Friday at Santa Anita, where both faced the unresolved issue of footing and were trying to bounce back from subpar efforts in their initial starts on turf.

Professors’ Pride, winner of the Soviet Problem Stakes on dirt at Los Alamitos before she finished last in the California Cup Oaks on turf, was scratched from the featured seventh race after it was determined she was ineligible to run.

Prior to entering Professors’ Pride in the entry-level turf allowance, race 7 on Friday, trainer Eddie Truman said he inquired with racing officials regarding her eligibility. He was initially told Professors’ Pride was eligible even after winning the Soviet Problem – on dirt – two starts back.

That turned out to be mistaken. Although a horse can win a California-bred allowance on one surface and retain California-bred allowance eligibility for the other surface, the rule apparently does not apply to horses that win stakes. Professors’ Pride was scratched.

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Professors’ Pride, 3.30-1 finishing last in the California Cup Oaks, would have been a similar price in the featured seventh race Friday. She had become more relaxed and settled in training following the first turf fiasco. Meanwhile, the allowance mile includes California Cup Oaks two-three finishers Big Novel and Vivacious Vanessa, and the impressive maiden winner Emerald Lake.

As for Smuggler’s Run, he was well backed at 3.90-1 in the Baffle Stakes for 3-year-old turf sprinters on Jan. 30, but was blocked from the quarter pole to deep stretch. He never had a chance and finished sixth.

Smuggler’s Run starts Friday in race 3, a first-level allowance for California-bred 3-year-olds at six furlongs on turf. Smuggler’s Run wheels back in 12 days, but considering how little running he did in the stretch of the Baffle, the turnaround is okay. He must catch speedy Who’s Candy, whose maiden win was validated when two behind him returned to win.

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Absent the field’s only stakes winner Professors’ Pride, the seventh race loses some luster. But not all of it. Big Novel and 2-1 second choice Vivacious Vanessa are already proven against winners, but the least-experienced filly in the field is among the most intriguing.

Emerald Lake has raced only once, at a mile on turf, and won the California-bred maiden race with a burst of late speed. She ran her final quarter-mile in a quick 23.74 seconds to win going away.

Emerald Lake is trained by Ruben Alvarado, who said the filly has moved forward since her debut.“She’s looking more mature,” he said. “She’s training good. I expect she’s going to run good.”Umberto Rispoli takes over on Emerald Lake; debut-winning rider John Velazquez sticks with Big Novel. Others in the field include Smilin Evie, Precious Insight, and Sue Ettas Ghost. She’s Bulletproof is not a confirmed runner.