Ultimate Luck auditions for Winter Challenge in sprint

CYPRESS, Calif. – This could be a busy Los Alamitos winter meeting for Ultimate Luck.

A two-time winner, Ultimate Luck starts in an optional claimer for California-breds at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sunday, a race that trainer Melissa Saldana said could result in a quick turnaround for the $100,000 Los Alamitos Winter Challenge at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 17.

“If he runs well on Sunday, we might bring him right back,” Saldana said.

There are realistic hopes for Ultimate Luck on Sunday. The race will be his shortest in a year and his first start since a neck loss in a starter allowance here Sept. 24. More than likely, the race will be a prep for the Winter Challenge or two-turn races at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.

“He’s not a sprinter,” Saldana said. “I stopped on him for 30 days and gave him a break.”

Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Ultimate Luck, by Lucky J.H.
Last 3 Beyers: 83-82-75

◗ Ultimate Luck is winless in 10 starts this year but has been second in five races and third four times.

“He likes to run second,” Saldana said.

◗ Ultimate Luck has been second in his last two races, including an optional claimer for California-breds at a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 28, when he was beaten three-quarters of a length.

◗ Sunday’s race will be Ultimate Luck’s first in a sprint since he was a well-beaten second in a $10,000 claimer at Santa Anita last December.

◗ Saldana trains three horses. Primarily, she is an assistant trainer at Los Alamitos for Mark Glatt, directing a 24-horse division.

Eddie’s First, by Square Eddie
Last 3 Beyers: 65-87-86

◗ Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Eddie’s First is entered to be claimed for $20,000. A 5-year-old gelding, Eddie’s First won a $20,000 claimer at Del Mar on Sept. 4, the day he was claimed by Diodoro on behalf of owner Charles Garvey.

◗ In two starts for them, Eddie’s First was third in a $25,000 claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 and a well-beaten fourth in the Luke Kruytbosch Stakes at six furlongs at Turf Paradise on Nov. 12.

Smack Talk, by Stormin Fever
Last 3 Beyers: 78-69-76

◗ Trained by Diodoro, Smack Talk was second in a $25,000 claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Oct. 28 but fell after the race. Smack Talk rose to his feet quickly but was vanned off as a precaution. Since then, Smack Talk has had three recorded workouts, including a half-mile in 47.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Dec. 3.

◗ On Sunday, Smack Talk is entered to be claimed for $20,000. The 4-year-old gelding could play an important role in Sunday’s race as an expected pacesetter.