Texas Ryano preps for possible stakes campaign
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
ARCADIA, Calif. – Texas Ryano figures prominently in summertime plans for trainer Carla Gaines.
A 4-year-old colt, Texas Ryano has his 2015 debut in an optional claimer at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Thursday, a race Gaines expects will lead to stakes appearances at Del Mar beginning next month.
“He’s about as ready as I can get him,” Gaines said. “It’s time for a race.”
Owned by breeder Warren Williamson, Texas Ryano has won two of four starts, all on turf. He finished eighth in the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar last July but was disqualified and placed 10th for causing interference. Texas Ryano did not race again last year.
KEY CONTENDERS
Texas Ryano (Last 3 Beyers: 86-87-77)
◗ Texas Ryano won his debut in a one-mile race in January 2014 and later won an optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles. On Tuesday, Gaines expressed a slight concern that Thursday’s race might be too short, and that Texas Ryano could have his late kick compromised by the layout of the turf course. The turf rails will be set 24 feet from the permanent position, which results in a narrower turf course.
“It depends on the pace,” she said. “He has a finishing kick. That’s the biggest problem is getting through the crowd with the rail out.”
◗ While Texas Ryano has raced only on turf, Gaines might consider a start on the main track this summer. She has been left impressed by the way the colt, by Curlin, has trained on dirt in recent weeks at Santa Anita.
“He’s training better this year and different on the dirt,” she said. “I don’t know if that’s because the surface is different – it’s not as sandy – or if he’s more mature, but he looks better.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Texas Ryano. Trainer Carla Gaines is 19-2-5-0 with a $1.56 ROI over the past five years in turf routes following a layoff of 180 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Buy Formulator PPs
:: Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
Footstepsinbronze (Last 3 Beyers: 89-91-90)
◗ Footstepsinbronze will be the colt to catch. Trained by Simon Callaghan, Footstepsinbronze has raced near the front in the past and figures to have a prominent role in this race from the rail post position in a field of eight.
◗ Thursday’s race will be the second of the year for Footstepsinbronze, who was second in an optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf May 8.
Jules Journey (Last 3 Beyers: 94-83-87)
◗ Jules Journey has finished third in three optional claimers on turf this year, finishing behind Ashleyluvssugar and Talco in two of those races. Ashleyluvssugar and Talco later won stakes.
◗ Jules Journey drew the outside post. The 6-year-old gelding has speed, which will help jockey Santiago Gonzalez to save ground early.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Bench Light. Trainer Michael Pender is 13-3-0-1 with a $3.59 ROI over the past two years in turf routes in the second start following a layoff. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan