Tough It Out tests open company again in Sunday feature
CYPRESS, Calif. – Tough It Out has made his mark in California-bred races, winning the Echo Eddie Stakes at Santa Anita in April and finishing second or third in five other stakes in the division.
Tough It Out was fourth in an optional claimer at Del Mar in August, his first start in open company. His second such race will be an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles at Los Alamitos on Sunday.
Sunday is the closing day of the Los Alamitos September meeting. The Santa Anita autumn meeting begins Friday and includes the Breeders’ Cup races on Nov. 4-5.
Tough It Out, who races for owner and breeder Nick Alexander, was beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Souper Knight in the Aug. 20 race at seven furlongs at Del Mar. The loss did not discourage trainer Phil D’Amato.
“That was a fast heat for the level,” D’Amato said. “He ran his race. He just got outrun.”
Tough It Out is the only stakes winner in a field of eight Sunday.
KEY CONTENDERS
Tough It Out, by Grazen
Last 3 Beyers: 88-86-84
◗ Tough It Out is winless in four starts since the Echo Eddie Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs. Tough It Out was a fast-closing second in the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at seven furlongs in July at Del Mar.
“He’s a jack-of-all-trades horse,” D’Amato said. “He can do anything – run short, long, on turf.”
◗ In many races, Tough It Out has closed from well off the pace.
“He needs the right kind of trip,” D’Amato said. “I think he’ll get better with age. He’s steadily improving.”
Ten Blessings, by Smart Strike
Last 2 Beyers: 79-77
◗ Ten Blessings won his debut in a maiden race at six furlongs in February but did not race again until Sept. 4, when he finished seventh as the 2-1 favorite in an optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar. Trainer Bob Baffert said the distance of the Sept. 4 race did not suit Ten Blessings.
“It was too short,” Baffert said. “He had the 1 hole, and he didn’t have a chance.”
◗ Ten Blessings was nominated for Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Derby, but Baffert opted to skip the stakes.
“I was tempted to run him in the Derby, but I didn’t want to do that,” he said. “I think he should like going long.”
Lucky J Lane, by Lucky J.H.
Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-79
◗ Lucky J Lane was second in a $32,000 claimer at a mile on the main track at Del Mar on Sept. 3 and is entered to be claimed for $40,000 in this race. Trained by Ron Ellis, Lucky J Lane is winless in 10 starts but ran well enough in his last race to merit respect.