On Grass or Dirt, Denied Should Feel Comfortable

If rain forces the third race off the turf this afternoon at Santa Anita, the change in surfaces won’t be a problem for Denied.

An 8-year-old Bertrando gelding, Denied has been effective on dirt as well as grass. However, he has been hampered by injuries over his career, making only 17 starts. Yet he has won eight of those.

Now owned by Paul Haggar and trained by Kristin Mulhall, Denied has won five of 10 on the turf and three of seven on the main track. He is seeking his third consecutive victory today as he steps up to meet $62,500 claimers at one mile.

Victor Espinoza, who has been aboard for Denied’s last seven wins, has the mount again. Bred in Kentucky by the Marshall Naify Revocable Trust, Denied has won four of seven at today’s distance.

The other race scheduled on the grass today is the seventh, a $55,000 optional claimer for California breds at one mile. Contenders in what is a wide-open contest are Karn, Taco Willy, Mr. Wolverine, Brego and the filly Dancing Edie, who will be making her first start since she was eased in the Gazelle last Sept. 10 at Belmont Park.

Owned by a partnership that includes Fast Lane Farms and J. Paul Reddam and trained by Craig Dollase, Dancing Edie, a daughter of Moscow Ballet, has a win, a second and a third in three races on turf.

Race of the day: Dubai Escapade, who dominated five foes in her U.S. debut on Jan. 25, will stretch out to a mile in search of her third victory in four starts in today’s ninth at Gulfstream Park. John Velazquez will ride the 4-year-old Awesome Again filly for Darley Stable and trainer Eoin Harty in the $35,000 optional claimer at one mile. Dubai Escapade won by 7 3/4 lengths as the 7-10 favorite in her first start in nearly 11 months, running 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15 1/5.

One for the road: Sarem makes his first start in the U.S. for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who does well with European imports, and the 4-year-old Kingmambo colt can break his maiden in the eighth race today at Gulfstream. Rafael Bejarano will ride for Shadwell Stable in the $32,000 race at 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Potion in the first, So Long Sonoma, Oceano Baby and Sixy Surprise in the second and Grafton, Denied and Soy Taipan in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 5/143. Money: (previous day/meet total): $24.20/$876.40. Total money bet: $824.