Switch to turf has turned the trick for All That Magic

Seven races ago, last December, All That Magic debuted in a $25,000 maiden claimer at Penn National and finished a distant third. Sunday, she’s in the $100,000 Incredible Revenge at Monmouth Park with a good chance to win her stakes debut.

The trick with All That Magic? A surface switch, dirt to turf.

After four races, all on dirt with one win, none very fast, All That Magic’s connections, trainer Kathleen DeMasi and owners Pewter and Spedale Family Racing, tried the 4-year-old filly on grass. All That Magic improved several lengths and won a $40,000 conditioned claimer sprinting on the Monmouth turf.

She was far better romping June 28 in a turf-sprint allowance on June 28 at Penn National, climbing all the way up to a 90 Beyer, and stronger still a month later at Monmouth, where a sensational sprint allowance performance yielded a 95 Beyer. That’s the third-highest figure earned by any offspring of 12-year-old sire Fast Anna and a number that will make All That Magic favored or close to it in the Incredible Revenge, a five-furlong, female-restricted grass dash.

As good as All That Magic has been, bettors should think twice about taking a short price on a horse jumping up from a first-level allowance to a six-furlong stakes race on just nine days’ rest. All That Magic and jockey Nik Juarez are drawn in post 2, inside two speed horses, Baby Steps and Get the Candy, who could force All That Magic to work on the lead.

The logical alternatives are Train to Artemus and Can’t Buy Love, respectively third and second in the $150,000 Andy Guest Stakes on July 22 at Colonial Downs.

Train to Artemus was the 6-5 favorite at Colonial following back-to-back six-figure turf-sprint stakes wins, strong stuff for a mare claimed about one year ago for $35,000. Paco Lopez, 3 for 3 on Train to Artemus, rides the mare after not making the trip to Virginia last month. Train to Artemus won the Goldwood at Monmouth two races ago and her stalking style is a good fit for Sunday’s contest, but forecasting a bounce-back performance on relatively short rests feels fraught.

Can’t Buy Love typically makes a late run that usually falls short of victory, as was the case last out at Colonial. The 5-year-old has only made it to 86 on Beyers, not nearly as fast as All That Magic.

Regarding the quick turnaround, All That Magic appears to be a formidable physical specimen hearty enough to have recovered from her recent exertions. Her legs are somewhat short for her body and turn over very rapidly – five furlongs suits her. And if she does come right back to her July 28 race, she wins.

All That Magic went comfortably through an opening quarter mile in 20.97 seconds, which worked out to a 123 TimeformUS early pace rating, a strong figure, and to complete her race in 55.92, All That Magic came home in 12.08 seconds, a 112 late pace rating, a higher number than anything Train to Artemus or Can’t Buy Love have produced.

It’s no illusion – former claimer All That Magic has the makings of a stakes-quality turf sprinter.