Timing right for Anyportinastorm, Baja Sur in Albany Stakes

Timing is a key element in training, and Blaine Wright thinks he has timing on his side as he sends out the multiple stakes winners Anyportinastorm and Baja Sur in Saturday’s $50,000-added Albany at five furlongs on the turf at Golden Gate Fields.

Anyportinastorm is looking for his first turf win, while Baja Sur is making his turf debut.

The reason they’re running – timing.

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“Anyportinastorm has been ready for weeks,” said Wright, who was pointing him for the April 25 Lost in the Fog, which was canceled when racing was shut down at Golden Gate because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 6-year-old City Zip horse is making his first start since setting the pace before losing by a head in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile last August at Emerald Downs.

“At this point in the schedule, he has to run,” Wright said.

Baja Sur, a 4-year-old gelding, won the Oakland here last year and has three other sprint stakes victories on his résumé. Baja Sur is making his first start since fading to fifth in the Cal Cup Sprint on Jan. 18 at Santa Anita.

While Anyportinastorm has prepared for his return at Golden Gate, Baja Sur has been training steadily at Emerald Downs, winding up with a six-furlong move in 1:12.20. He then worked a bullet three furlongs in 36 seconds Monday at Golden Gate.

Anyportinastorm was stakes-placed in the Alcatraz here as a 3-year-old, and Wright expects Baja Sur will handle the turf all right as a son of Smiling Tiger.

“Smiling Tigers have run well on turf,” Wright said. “We wanted to run him without having to ship him out.”

Both Anyportinastorm and Baja Sur have run well fresh, but if there is a question mark for them in the Albany, it could be pace. Both like the lead but have won in stalking roles.

They have more than each other to worry about up front.

Mikes Tiznow, making his first start since last year’s wire-to-wire Albany win, is drawn outside them, and Sunset Dragon, runner-up in last fall’s Oakland, will have to use his speed from the rail.

That could set things up for Bear Chum, who has won four straight and is stepping up. He had a win in a $100,000 turf sprint in his native Australia and four runner-up efforts in similar spots.

“He has a lot of heart,” trainer Isidro Tamayo said.

KEY CONTENDERS

Anyportinastorm, by City Zip

Last 3 Beyers 98-96-93

◗ Proven sprinter has solid works for comeback.

◗ Has stakes placing on turf going long.

◗ Shown ability to win off layoff.

Baja Sur, by Smiling Tiger

Last 3 Beyers: 83-100-89

◗ Sire is 7 for 44 with horses making turf debut.

◗ Earned triple-digit Beyer in stakes win here.

◗ Bullet blowout Monday move in final prep.

Bear Chum, by I Am Invincible

Last 3 Beyers 86-83-89

◗ Proven at distance in Australia.

◗ Stepping up after four straight wins.

◗ Could get dream stalking trip.