Trump Era looks ready to go for debut
April was a month of progress for Trump Era, a 2-year-old colt who makes his first start in a maiden race for California-breds at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Trained by Ryan Hanson for owner and breeder Richard Barton, Trump Era has had three workouts from the gate since mid-April and five overall since the beginning of last month. Officially, Trump Era was given a time of 1:00.40 for a five-furlong workout on April 27, but Hanson said on Friday the workout was a half-mile in 48 seconds.
Regardless, Trump Era, who is by Cat Burglar, has left Hanson impressed in recent weeks. Adrian Escobedo has the mount on Sunday.
“He’s been pretty quick from the gate,” Hanson said. “Adrian has been on him for almost his works. Do I think he’s a rocket ship horse? No. He’s done everything right.
“We’re hoping we have a good clean race.”
Aside from 2023, Hanson has had springtime winners with 2-year-old first-time starters annually since 2020. Last year, he had two juvenile debut winners in the first weeks of May.
Trump Era is part of a field of seven in a race at 4 1/2 furlongs. Trainer Steve Knapp starts Fionello, who has worked quickly in recent weeks. Fionello, who starts from the inside post, zoomed three furlongs in 35.80 seconds on April 12.
By Stay Thirsty, Fionello was listed as sold for $250,000 at the Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale last September to John Moroney, the most expensive hip of the auction. The colt is now listed as co-owned by Knapp, Moroney, breeder Terry Lovingier, and Amanda Navarro.
Fionello is by My Fiona, a three-time stakes winner for a partnership that included Lovingier and Navarro. My Fiona is the dam of the stakes winners Fi Fi Pharoah, by American Pharoah, and Finneus, a full-brother to Fionello.
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