SANTA ANITA
TAGLINE: Filly was coming off the layoff for trainer Jeff Mullins and was being sent 1 1/8 miles on the grass in this straight maiden race, a tough task off the layoff to say the least. She did take some action on the tote. She was pulling jockey Abel Cedillo hard and he had to check and steady her into the first turn, taking back to dead last. She came out leaving the second turn for room and made a big late run to pick up the show money. This race will have her set for the maiden breaker next out going long on the grass.
MUNNINGS’ PILOT: First-time starter was going 5½ furlongs on the grass in this straight maiden race. He threw his head at the start to be last in this eight-horse field and then was taken to the inside to save ground. He looked to be ready to make a move but had to steady hard when in tight into the turn and never really recovered and ran even after that to finish a much better-than-looked fifth.
FARQUHAR: We took a shot with this guy at 17-1 in this 1¼ turf route and he may have been best but had to be steadied hard when caught in traffic at the top of the stretch. He had to be swung out for room and once clear he blasted home to miss by a dwindling three-quarters of a length. Trainer Vladimir Cerin has been ice cold at the meet but he is due to heat up and we hope to see him win with this one going long on the grass in the near future.
RAILSPLITTER: Was making his first start as a gelding and looked to take this group of $75K maidens wire to wire. He ran his race but a live comebacker from the John Sadler barn ran him down late for the money. He held gamely for second and will be a solid single next out going long on the grass for trainer Doug O’Neill.
BROTHER REID: Was in from Gulfstream Park and making his first start for the aforementioned trainer Cerin. This guy ran big to just miss second by a head vs. Railsplitter and we would love to see these two hook up next out. If so, it will be exacta box time.