Yakteen trying for Big Score in Del Mar Juvenile Turf

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainers have to manage their horses as well as their expectations, so trainer Tim Yakteen approached Big Score’s first race on an even keel. And then his ship came in. Big Score tallied at 8-1, romping by 2 3/4 lengths, and earned himself a berth in Saturday’s $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf.

“We expected him to run a reasonable race,” said Yakteen, who trains Big Score for the horse’s owner and breeder, George Krikorian. “But we weren’t expecting to see that kind of performance. It was a pleasant surprise. We get the opposite more often.”

Big Score won his debut going a mile on turf, the exact conditions of the Juvenile Turf. A full field of 14 was entered in the race, including three for trainer Phil D’Amato and a maiden exiting one of the fastest maiden races of the year.

D’Amato’s runners include Billy Big, an Irish import who beat maidens in his U.S. debut, and Bowies Hero, a private purchase following an eye-catching victory against maidens at Lone Star.

“I was shown a replay of his race and said, ‘We need to buy that horse,’ ” D’Amato said of Bowies Hero.

The intriguing maiden is Saldamente, who finished a distant second in a 6 1/2-furlong dirt race to the highly regarded Straight Fire, who will be one of the top contenders in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Monday.

It’s a wide-open race, and it’s a pivotal one for bettors, for as race 6 it kicks off the pick six on the 11-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Big Score, by Mr. Big

Beyer: 61

◗ Yakteen said Big Score “seems like he’s matured, filled out,” since his win on July 24.

“Hopefully, that translates into another nice effort,” Yakteen said. “He has a really nice stride on the grass. I’m happy with the way he’s come along.”

Billy Big, by Royal Applause

Beyer: 61

◗ He ran three times in a little more than two weeks in Ireland before being bought and sent to D’Amato, who added Lasix for his first start in this country.

“I thought I didn’t have him as fit as I would have liked, but he overcame that,” D’Amato said. “I think he’ll move forward. He’ll probably need to to win.”

Bowies Hero, by Artie Schiller

Beyer: 58

◗ He’s certainly bred to excel on turf, and he showed a sharp turn of foot on grass when crushing maidens by 5 3/4 lengths in his debut while ignored in the wagering at 26-1. He’ll be a significantly shorter price on Saturday.

“He’s done everything right since we’ve had him,” said D’Amato, who has worked Bowies Hero four times since his acquisition. “He’s got a really good mind.”

Saldamente, by Super Saver

Beyer: 75

◗ He will be making his first start on turf and around two turns, but this might be a drop in class compared to the freak he faced in his lone start.

Ky. Colonel, by Into Mischief

Beyers: 58-26

◗ After a disappointing debut, he ran much better the second time out when he switched to turf, beating maidens, including Farley and Arch Prince, two of his rivals in this race.