Turf runners enticed to try dirt in Thursday features
ARCADIA, Calif. – Horseplayers and horsemen are seeing innovative race conditions at Santa Anita.
The new conditions are necessary to fill races because a big chunk of the program is on hiatus. Turf races accounted for 33 percent of Santa Anita’s races before the course was closed for replacement after June 19. The last three weeks of the meet are dirt only.
With up to one-third of the horse inventory waiting for the July 15 resumption of turf racing on opening day at Del Mar, the challenge for Santa Anita is to entice turf horses to run on dirt. That happens Thursday in two distinctive allowance races.
Race 1 is a first-level allowance/optional $20,000 claiming sprint for California-breds; race 7 is a second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claiming sprint for open company. Both 6 1/2-furlong races are restricted to horses “whose last start was on a turf or synthetic track.”
Theoretically, the clause puts turf horses on an even keel. Though they will race over footing that is less preferred, they will face others also racing over footing that is less preferred. No advantage, no disadvantage, at least in theory. However, there are tradeoffs.
In race 1, Pulmarack and Atta Boy Pete enter with counterbalanced attributes. Pulmarack has no speed, but he does have dirt form. Atta Boy Pete lacks recent dirt form, but he is the controlling speed.
In race 7, the dilemma is less conspicuous. Pay the Fine and Spirit Rules have run well over both surfaces. Pay the Fine will rally late. Spirit Rules runs best on dirt and therefore benefits by the surface change. He also has speed.
The Thursday card also includes a large field of 2-year-old California-bred maiden fillies in race 5. Debut runner-up Alpenhorn is favored in a race that is likely to produce starters for the $100,000 CTBA Stakes on July 29 at Del Mar.
The eight-race card Thursday ends with a maiden $20,000 claiming sprint in which second-time starter Too Much Drama might be worth gambling on.
KEY CONTENDERS
RACE 1
Atta Boy Pete, by Perfect Mandate
Last 3 Beyers: 81-77-85
◗ His last three starts, and his best recent races, have been on turf, but the front-runner has won 3 of 11 on dirt.
◗ The speed of the field from the rail, Atta Boy Pete and jockey Edwin Maldonado could be gone. Trainer Phil D’Amato has 22 wins at this meet, nine clear of Jerry Hollendorfer.
Pulmarack, by Lucky Pulpit
Last 3 Beyers: 81-78-83
◗ A deep closer, Pulmarack has won 1 of 15. He has three runner-up finishes in California-bred stakes, including two on dirt.
◗ He is trained by Hollendorfer, who has 13 wins. Santiago Gonzalez rides.
RACE 7
Pay the Fine, by Square Eddie
Last 3 Beyers: 87-89-87
◗ He has never won on dirt, but Pay the Fine has three seconds over the surface, including a highly rated effort two back.
◗ Trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez have combined at this meet to win 4 of 31, with 10 seconds and three thirds.
Spirit Rules, by Tribal Rule
Last 3 Beyers: 68-87-83
◗ Entered for the optional $62,500 claim tag, Spirit Rules is likely to set the pace.