Off and racing at Santa Anita (Benoit Photo)
Hector Palma Sends Out Two Homebred Colts
Santa Anita Stable Notes by Victor Ryan
ARCADIA, Calif.— Longtime California horseman Hector Palma will take two shots at winning the first open juvenile race of the Santa Anita season on Friday.
Palma, 85, is the trainer and co-breeder of the California-bred colts Midnight Love and Spot D’Oro, who will break from the two inside stalls in the 4 ½-furlong dash.
Midnight Love is by Midnight Lute out of the Dixie Union mare Magical Band. He has worked seven times for his debut. Midnight Love is the sixth foal out of Magical Band. As Palma noted Thursday morning from Clocker’s Corner, all three of her previous foals to make the races have won.
Spot D’Oro is by Gato Del Oro out of the Papa Clem mare Magical Spot. Gato Del Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro, was a three-time winner and graded stakes-placed for trainer Richard Baltas. Palma said he is an owner of Gato Del Oro, who stands for $2,000 at BG Thoroughbred Farm in Hemet.
Gato Del Oro had a single 2-year-old in his first crop last year—Storm d’Oro, who won a maiden claimer here on March 31.
“I think he’s going to make a good stallion,” Palma said of Gato Del Oro.
As for Saturday’s race, Palma said Spot D’Oro might have the better chance of his two starters.
“Midnight Love has probably a little more speed but has to deal with the rail in her first start. I think the other one, Spot D’Oro, is the more likely winner,” Palma said.
All indications are the horse to beat on Friday is the filly She’s My Niece, the 8-5 morning-line favorite for trainer Doug O’Neill. The daughter of Hard Spun out of the stakes-placed Afleet Alex mare Anydayismyday has a pair of bullets on the tab and has worked three-straight times from the gate entering her debut.
Post time is scheduled for 2:04 p.m.
