Wild Bean's speed an asset in allowance

ARCADIA, Calif. – A pair of allowance races with five-horse fields and a maiden race for 2-year-olds are the highlights Friday at Santa Anita.

The featured seventh race includes one of the most probable winners on the card. Wild Bean returns to his preferred six-furlong distance in the statebred allowance sprint. From the outside post in a five-runner field otherwise void of speed, Wild Bean figures for a favorable trip.

Wild Bean is quick. At least, he was quick before he misfired last month in a route stakes on the turf at Golden Gate. Assuming that Wild Gain regained his speed in two quick recent works, the David Hofmans trainee should be long gone under Flavien Prat.

Owned and bred by Legacy Ranch, Wild Bean has won 2 of 4 starts. The only 3-year-old in the field, Wild Bean meets Fire When Ready, Nap Lajoie, and comebackers Satrapa and Perfect Wager.

The co-featured fifth race is a hodgepodge first-level allowance mile for fillies and mares. Sapphire Kid, whose recent races have been on turf, returns to dirt. That is no problem for the Matt Chew-trained filly. She is 2 for 10 on dirt and benefits from a weight break under apprentice rider Jorge Velez.

Kaydetre, runner-up last out in a similar first-level allowance, is likely to set the pace. Zusha should be forwardly placed coming out of a sprint. Turf specialist Battleground State and sprinter Donut Girl complete the field of five.

The maiden race for statebred 2-year-olds is the third on the card. All eight in the body of the race are first-time starters.

Fast Enough will try to live up to his name. Rafael Becerra trains the gelded son of Eddington, who is the first runner produced by a mare that won 7 of 20, including her career debut. Tiago Pereira has worked the gelding from the gate and rides him Friday.

Cal’s Gem was scheduled to make his career debut May 17, but scratched. He reportedly has shown speed in workouts and figures to come out firing. Luis Mendez trains the son of Calimonco, whose rider is Ruben Fuentes.

The others in the body of the race are Bam Bam Again, Next Flight, Include the Tax, Wicked Blue, Project Leader, and Coastline Sermon. Also-eligible Side Street Dave and You’reright Again finished two-three in their debut. Too Late and Spectacular Point fill out the also-eligible list.

Five of the 17 races scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita have five-horse fields.