Krone Returns Today
Jockey Julie Krone will ride today at Santa Anita for the first time since she was injured in a spill on Dec. 12 at Hollywood Park.
Krone, who was leading the standings at the Inglewood track’s fall meet when she was sidelined, was named on three horses in turf races.
In the third, a $56,000 optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles, Krone will be aboard Fade To Blue, the co-third choice at 4-1 in the field of five, for trainer Jeff Mullins. She’ll ride 5-2 favorite Star Wizard in the fifth, a $52,000 optional claimer for California-bred fillies and mares at a mile, before wrapping up her first day back on 10-1 shot Devious Boy in the seventh, the $70,000 Thunder Road at one mile.
Devious Boy, a 4-year-old trained by Kathy Walsh, is returning to the grass after finishing seventh in the Sir Beaufort Stakes on the main track Dec. 26. He won the Oak Tree Derby last fall but will be seeking his first win against older horses.
The 9-5 morning line favorite in the Thunder Road is Designed For Luck, who hasn’t run since finishing seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Oct. 25. He will be racing without blinkers today for trainer Vladimir Cerin.
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Race of the day: Zawzooth will make her first start since the fall for hot trainer Todd Pletcher in today’s eighth, a $46,000 allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs, at Gulfstream Park. John Velazquez has the mount.
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One for the road: Mistda, who is two for two around two turns, will try to keep her roll going in today’s $60,000 Nijana Stakes at Aqueduct. Leading rider Pablo Fragoso will ride the 3-year-old Runaway Groom filly for leading trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. in the 1 1/16-mile race.
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Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Mark Of Courage and Super Strut in the first, View From The Top in the second, Urban King and Fade To Blue in the third, Magic Smoke and Candy Clouds in the fourth, Star Wizard in the fifth, Coldbeerathebit in the sixth, Inesperado and Tradition Rocks in the seventh and Ice It Honey and Sharp As A Fox in the eighth.
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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/102. Money: Previous day/meet total: $17.80/$565.80. Total money bet: $584.