Florida Keys Likes Course
Five of the nine horses entered in the seventh race at Santa Anita own at least one win on the turf course.
The leader among the quintet is Florida Keys, a 5-year-old gray son of Stormy Atlantic.
Claimed for $50,000 by trainer John Sadler for C R K Stable, Florida Keys is a three-time winner on the layout, each time at about the 6 1/2 -furlong distance of this afternoon’s race.
After breaking from the rail in his first race of 2006 on Feb. 2, Florida Keys will break from the outside today under a new jockey in Aaron Gryder.
Ulistentome, Leo Getz and Kewen each have two wins on the Santa Anita grass, and Cyber City Slew has one victory.
Owned in part by trainer Richard Mandella, Ulistentome won his other time at today’s trip. He won by half a length at 5-1 last Nov. 3. Fifth in the Grade II San Carlos Handicap on the main track Feb. 18, the 4-year-old Wild Rush colt will be ridden by Alex Solis.
The rest of the field in the $55,000 optional claimer includes Mighty Empire, who has failed to hit the board in four starts on the Santa Anita turf; Whata Soldier, who has two wins on the grass at Del Mar and Hollywood Park; European import Lock And Key and Nonno Luigi, who was ninth of 11 in his U.S. debut for trainer Bobby Frankel on Jan. 21.
Race of the day: Daytime Promise, who finished third as the 4-5 favorite in her last start on Feb. 26, will try to rebound under new jockey Ramon Dominguez in the $60,000 Wayward Lass at Aqueduct. A winner of two of four on Aqueduct’s inner track, the 3-year-old Five Star Day filly will break from post two in the one-mile race.
One for the road: Mandalay Trick looked good breaking her maiden in her Oaklawn Park debut on March 5 and can win right back in the ninth race today. Monte Berry will ride the 3-year-old Mazel Trick filly in the $21,000 starter allowance race at six furlongs.
Exotically speaking: A pick three using Heirloom Rose, Silver Z and Flom’s Tizzy in the second, Wing Kai, Grey Misty and Chandtrue in the third and Pathbreaking in the fourth.
Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/187. Money: (previous day/meet total): $20.20/$1,106.80. Total money bet: $1,084.