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Fashionably Fast to the Thor’s Echo, American Theorem to the Triple Bend
‘Folds Of Honor’ Poker Tourney On Sunday, $5 Million Mandatory Payout Likely On Monday
ARCADIA, Calif.—Doug O’Neill, always a major player at the entry box, enhances that role as Santa Anita begins its Memorial Day weekend Saturday with five stakes showcasing California-breds.
O’Neill, the meet’s second-leading trainer behind Phil D’Amato and second with most horses entered at 223 to D’Amato’s 227, has horses entered in four of the Cal-bred stakes.
They are Worse Read Sanchez in the $250,000 Snow Chief for three-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf; It’s Simple in the $150,000 Melair for three-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles; Hail Freedom in the $100,000 Crystal Water for three-year-olds and up at a mile on turf; and Self Isolation in the $100,000 Fran’s Valentine for fillies and mares three and up at a mile on turf.
“We ran Worse Read Sanchez in the restricted Silky Sullivan at Golden Gate (May 1) and he ran a real competitive race (third by a length and a quarter as the 3-5 favorite on May 1),” O’Neill said. “He’s very consistent, so the Snow Chief shouldn’t be a problem for him.
“It’s Simple is stretching out but she’s got a lot of speed and we’re hoping we can harness it and get the full mile and a sixteenth. That’s the question mark for her.
“The Crystal Water will be a tough race for Hail Freedom since it’s his first stakes, but he’s very consistent and he’s a tough horse; I like him.
“Self Isolation has a lot of speed and a lot of class. We hope she can find the front, not go too fast and be there at the end.”
Freshened Fashionably Fast Back In Thor’s Echo
Old warhorse Fashionably Fast returns to his favorite track and favorite surface in Saturday’s $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes in which he was third behind win machine Brickyard Ride in 2021.
Now seven, the gelded son of Lucky Pulpit will be making his first start in more than two months but has been firing bullets for his return, notably a three-furlong move in 35 seconds May 23.
“He needed a little freshening after finishing sixth in the downhill turf sprint,” said trainer Dean Pederson, alluding to the restricted Sensational Star Stakes on March 20.
“He went through a little phase in the winter where his hair didn’t look good and he dropped a little weight, but now he’s kind of back to his old self, and he should get a good trip in this race.
“If he’s his old self, he’ll be all right.”
With a 9-6-7 record from 29 career starts and a 4-1-6 mark from 12 races at Santa Anita, the chestnut bred by Harris Farms has earned $697,623.
The Thor’s Echo is the fourth of nine races with a 1 p.m. first post time and lines up as follows:
1. Moose Mitchell, Ricardo Gonzalez, 12-1
2. Desmond Doss, Juan Hernandez, 3-1
3. Fashionably Fast, Abel Cedillo, 5-2
4. Tigre Di Sligo, Kyle Frey, 8-5
5. Good With People, Ramon Vazquez, 5-2
XBTV Preview of The Thor’s Echo Stakes
American Theorem Back Sprinting In Triple Bend
George Papaprodromou has American Theorem on Sunday back doing what the trainer feels the son of 2015 Triple Crown champion American Pharoah does best: sprint.
The five-year-old roan ridgling has a daunting task, however, facing speed-happy Brickyard Ride in the Grade II Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs, and is coming off four straight races of a mile and a sixteenth or longer.
A California-bred son of Clubhouse Ride trained by Craig Lewis for owner/breeder Alfred Pais, Brickyard Ride is on a four-race winning streak which includes the Grade III Kona Gold Stakes last out on April 30. His style is unwavering: he goes to the front and improves his position.
“I think seven-eighths is pretty much his distance,” Papaprodromou said of American Theorem, owned by George’s principal client, Rustin Kretz. “The horse might even be better going one turn. We’re going to find out.”
American Theorem’s lone effort at the distance came in an overnight race at Santa Anita on Feb. 12, 2021, resulting in a second-place finish in which he led turning for home but was caught in deep stretch.
Joe Bravo, who has ridden American Theorem twice, will be back aboard in the Triple Bend for Papaprodromou, who is enjoying a solid meet, ranking 10th among Santa Anita’s trainers with 15 firsts, 12 seconds, 10 thirds, a win percentage of 18 and purse earnings of $731,300.
The 71st edition of the $200,000 Triple Bend, race four with a 1 p.m. first post time:
1. Get Her Number, Ramon Vazquez, 12-1
2. Exaulted, Edwin Maldonado, 5-1
3. American Theorem, Joe Bravo, 8-1
4. Brickyard Ride, Juan Hernandez, 4-5
5. Principe Carlo, Kyle Frey, 6-1
6. Elector, Ricardo Gonzalez, 3-1
$5 Million Mandatory Payout Likely In Monday’s Rainbow Six
With three Grade I stakes highlighting what promises to be an outstanding racing card, fans will get the opportunity to take a shot at what will likely be a $5 million pool with a mandatory payout in the Memorial Day 20 cent Pick Six Jackpot at Santa Anita on Monday.
With a Rainbow Six carryover into Friday of $449,347, track officials project Monday’s pool is likely to exceed $5 million, providing there is no Single Ticket winner on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
In addition to the prospect of a $5 million Rainbow Six pool on Monday, there will also be guaranteed pools of $500,000 in Santa Anita’s 50 cent Late Pick 5 throughout the holiday weekend on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
First post time for a nine-race card on Monday is at 1 p.m., with the Rainbow Six comprised of races four through nine. Fans can download free Equibase past performances for Monday’s races at santaanita.com.
Along with great betting opportunities, Memorial Day Monday is also Dollar Day, with $1 beers, $1 sodas and $2 hot dogs.
Santa Anita’s Infield Carnival returns over the holiday weekend, with a Ferris Wheel and a number of other rides, a Super Slide, Fun House and much more. Unlimited ride wristbands, good for the entire weekend, are available at santaanita.com.
A total of 11 stakes will be run over the weekend, with five California-bred stakes on California Gold Rush Day, Saturday, three graded stakes, the Grade II Triple Bend, the Grade III Honeymoon and the Grade III Daytona on Sunday and three Grade I events will be run Monday, the $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, the $400,000 Gamely and the $500,000 Shoemaker Mile.
Also on Sunday, Santa Anita will host the Spring Corgi Nationals, with some of the cutest dogs in the world competing in short sprints.
For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
Big Memorial Day Weekend Starts Tomorrow
Fans can avail themselves of fabulous racing and fun-filled festivities starting tomorrow at Santa Anita on Memorial Day weekend, traditionally one of the most anticipated on America’s Thoroughbred calendar.
Three prestigious Grade I events highlight Monday’s holiday racing program: the $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup for three-year-olds and up at a mile and a quarter, the $500,000 Shoemaker Mile on turf and the $400,000 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares three and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
The Shoemaker is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Race, providing the nominated winner automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Nov.5
The monster Memorial Day weekend begins Saturday with five state-bred stakes, followed by three graded stakes Sunday, the Grade III Daytona for four-year-olds and up at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course; the Grade II Triple Bend for four-year-olds and up at seven furlongs; and the Grade III Honeymoon for three-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
In addition to world class racing over the three-day holiday, Santa Anita’s Infield Carnival returns with a Ferris Wheel, a giant slide, inflatable jumpers and much more.
Memorial Day is also Dollar Day, with $1 beers, sodas and $2 hot dogs offered all day. Additionally, Santa Anita’s Infield Carnival will return May 28, 29 and 30, with a Ferris Wheel, a super slide, fun house and much more.
Fans are encouraged to get their Santa Anita Memorial Day Weekend Infield Carnival tickets at santaanita.com/events.
Poker Tournament Sunday Benefits Disabled Vets
In an effort to support families of fallen or disabled American military veterans, Santa Anita will host a charity poker tournament following the races Sunday at 5:45 p.m. to benefit the world-renowned “Folds of Honor” Foundation.
Folds of Honor helps bridge a financial gap facing more than one million dependents adversely affected by war.
The tournament will be staged near the top of the stretch in Santa Anita’s Baldwin Terrace Conference Room on the second floor of the Grandstand. Players will make a $30 charitable donation and be treated to a full night of no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em as well as a day at the races in Santa Anita’s Stretch Run Suites.
Santa Anita’s first Folds of Honor tourney last October raised more than $50,000. Track officials hope to build on that success.
“We had great participation from horsemen and fans this past October and we’re hoping to do even better this Sunday,” said Santa Anita Vice President and General Manager Nate Newby. “Memorial Day weekend is a time for reverence for millions of veterans and we’re proud to be able to honor them and their families.”
The $30 donation enables fans to receive an iconic “The Shoe Wants You” T-shirt, the image of which was originally used on a color poster honoring legendary Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker more than 50 years ago,
In addition to the T-shirt, the $30 donation also includes admission, program, General Parking and a Challenge Coin featuring the Folds of Honor Foundation and Santa Anita Park. The Coin may also be purchased separately for a $10 donation.
“The folded flag is to honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” said Folds of Honor Senior VP and former Tehran hostage POW Rocky Sickmann. “It inspires us to help equip and educate their loved ones in need of our support.
“Thank you to Santa Anita Park for embracing the call by honoring their sacrifice.”
For more tournament info, visit santaanaita.com/poker or call Santa Anita Marketing at 626 574-6384.
FINISH LINES: In a racing rarity, Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale has half of the field of six, three–count ‘em, three—entered in Sunday’s Grade III Daytona Stakes: Homer Screen, Majestic Eagle and Nero . . . Eclipse Award champion female sprinter of 2021 Ce Ce breezed four furlongs this morning in 48.80 for Michael McCarthy. It was one of 94 recorded workouts Friday, 22 on the training track . . . Horseplayer Ryan Flanders is host Tom Quigley’s guest today, while TVG analyst and defending Folds of Honor Charity Poker champ Dave Weaver and Horseplayer Jeff Schmitz will do honors Saturday and Sunday, respectively,11:50 a.m., from the XBTV Studio.
Latest Content From XBTV:
Workouts:
Take Action (Outside) and Royal Ship (Mandella) 5-26-22
Warren’s Show Bizz (Lewis) 5-26-22
Evening Sun (Mullins) 5-26-22
Laneway (Mandella) 5-26-22
Lansdowne (D’Amato) 5-26-22
Majestic Eagle (Drysdale) 5-25-22
Spielberg (S.McCarthy) 5-25-22
Big City Lights (Outside) and Show Time (Mandella) 5-25-22
Piroli (Outside) and Master Piece (M.McCarthy) 5-21-22
Tizamagician (Mandella) 5-21-22
Santa Anita Stable Notes by Ed Golden
Photo of Doug O’Neill by Benoit Photos
