Castledale Is Rooting for a Little Irish Luck

Since his upset at nearly 22-1 in last year’s Santa Anita Derby, Castledale hasn’t made any noise.

Perhaps a return to grass and a start on St. Patrick’s Day can turn things around for the 4-year-old Irish bred son of Peintre Celebre.

No better than fifth in three outings since he won the local Derby by a head in his second career race on the dirt, Castledale will try the turf for the first time since he won the 2003 Generous Stakes at Hollywood Park in his U.S. debut for owners Greg Knee and Frank Lyons.

Trained by Jeff Mullins, Castledale will have seven opponents in the $60,000 optional claimer at one mile.

It is the fifth race on the card and the first leg of the pick four.

Rene Douglas, who is second behind Tyler Baze in the jockey standings, will ride Castledale for the first time.

In eight races on the grass, Castledale has two wins and has finished worse than third only once.

Two races later, Scrofa, who has won three of five starts since being claimed for $62,500 by trainer Paul Aguirre for owner Omar Aldabbagh and STD Racing Stable, will shorten up to about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf in the $125,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes.

Restricted to older California bred fillies and mares, the Irish O’Brien attracted 11 others, including top contenders Blind Ambition, Tucked Away, Market Garden and Five Star Meeting.

Race of the day: Popularize, who was second in his first start for trainer Tom Amoss after being claimed for $15,000, will try for his initial win on the turf in today’s ninth at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. James Graham will ride the 5-year-old Pulpit gelding for owner Maggi Moss in the $33,000 allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs.

One for the road: Miss Sophie will step into allowance company for her first start against winners in today’s eighth at the Fair Grounds after humbling maidens by 10 3/4 lengths in her debut Jan. 27.

She will make her debut for owner W. Temple Webber Jr. after being purchased privately after her maiden score.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Kaimana and Donna’s Doll in the sixth, Blind Ambition, Scrofa, Tucked Away and Five Star Meeting in the seventh and Honor Chick and College Graduate in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/143. Money: Previous day/meet total: $20/$772.80. Total money bet: $1,012.