SANTA ANITA STABLE NOTES

By Ed Golden —-

BALTAS IS READY TO RACE AT SANTA ANITA
MANDELLA EYES EIGHTH SAN ANTONIO WIN
SANTA ANITA ICON LOGAN HONORED SUNDAY
POPULAR BETTING MENU HAS VALUE, VARIETY
OPENING DAY SEMINAR STARTS AT 9:50 A.M.
SHOWVIVOR CONTEST BACK AT SANTA ANITA

BALTAS HAS NINE ENTERED ON OPENING DAY

With apologies to Bruce Springsteen, Richard Baltas was born to run.

Be they in the claiming category or Grade I stakes, the 59-year-old trainer prides himself in having “a racing stable,” one that competes when two criteria are aligned: a fit horse and the right conditions.

Such is the scenario Saturday when Baltas has more horses entered on Santa Anita’s opening day program than any other trainer–nine—including six in four stakes.

They are Whisper Not in the Grade II Mathis Brothers Mile on turf, Idol in the Grade I San Antonio Stakes, Going to Vegas in the Grade I American Oaks and Applecross, Nasty and Annangel in the $75,000 Lady of Shamrock Stakes.

Owned by Calvin Nguyen, Idol is a three-year-old son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin that was also entered in the Grade I Runhappy Malibu Stakes for three-year-olds at seven furlongs. His dam, Marion Ravenwood, is a daughter of 1992 Horse of the Year and Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy

Instead, Idol will make his stakes debut in the Grade II San Antonio at a mile and one-sixteenth and will compete for the fourth time against older horses, Baltas explaining, “I think he’s a distance horse, very lightly raced (only three prior starts) and a late-developing three-year-old.

“He’s very talented and broke the track record at Churchill going a mile and 3/16 in 1:55.97 on Nov. 8,” winning by 5 ¾ lengths “He got a big (Beyer) number (100) but it was in a one-other-than so I don’t know if it means anything.”
Baltas, fresh from capturing the training title at Del Mar where he sent out 52 starters, topped only by prolific Doug O’Neill with 69, has three entered in the $75,000 Lady of Shamrock Stakes at a mile on turf: Annangel, Applecross and Nasty.

Each has a diverse style and post position.

“Applecross is a closer t so I think the race kind of sets up for her,” Baltas said. “The other fillies have a lot of gas. One’s on the inside (Applecross drew the rail), one’s on the outside (Annangel 10 of 10) and one’s in the middle (Nasty has the seven post).”

Whisper Not drew the rail and is 5-1 on the morning line under Joel Rosario for the Mathis Brothers Mile.

“He ran against older last time (second by less than a length at Del Mar Nov. 29 with Joel Rosario up in his first United States start) . . . he’s a very talented horse. Against three-year-olds he’ll probably be OK and hopefully he’ll duplicate his last race,” Baltas said.

On Sunday, Colonial Creed, a consistent four-year-old daughter of Jimmy Creed, runs in the Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares, three and up, at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Bumped at the break last out in the Red Carpet at Del Mar Nov. 26, she still finished a creditable fourth beaten less than two lengths.

If he had his druthers, like most trainers Baltas would prefer to have a barnful of stakes stalwarts, but he lives in the real world.

“I have claimers,” he said, “I just try not to keep them (laughter). Seriously, I believe trying to improve your stock is a major goal. If you get good horses, you try to take care of them, give them the time they need when they need it and try to build up your stable.”

Baltas knows whereof he speaks. He paid his dues en route to reaching his current respectable status. Born in the hardscrabble steel town of Gary, Indiana, his family moved to Huntingdon Beach when he was nine, he attended the races with his father and fell in love with it.

In 1984 he attended Kentucky Equine Institute in Lexington and began working at Spendthrift Farm where Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Affirmed were stationed. He rubbed yearlings and started working as a groom while learning the business from the ground up, taking out his trainer’s license in 1991.

“The claiming horses are fun to have, and they stack wins up, but I look at successful trainers and a lot them started with claiming horses and tried to move up,” Baltas said.

“Bobby Frankel started with claiming horses.”

Nuff said.

The field for Frankel, race nine of 10 with an 11:30 a.m. first post time: Rideforthecause, Umberto Rispoli, 3-1; She’s Our Charm, Juan Hernandez, 12-1; Never Be Enough, Tiago Pereira, 12-1; Miss Teheran, Joel Rosario, 5-1; Altea, Abel Cedillo, 5-1; Meal Ticket, Tyler Baze, 8-1; Colonial Creed, Mario Gutierrez, 12-1; Zee Drop, Flavien Prat, 8-1; and Mucho Unusual, John Velazquez, 5-2. Posh Holly was scratched.

EXTRA HOPE COULD GIVE MANDELLA 8TH SAN ANTONIO WIN

Richard Mandella is no stranger to winning the San Antonio Stakes, although it’s been a long time between drinks for the Hall of Fame trainer. He hasn’t won it since 2006, when Spellbinder captured the race with Martin Pedroza aboard.

Additional winners for Mandella were Pleasantly Perfect in 2004; Redattore in 2002; Gentlemen in 1997 and 1998; Best Pal in 1995; and Poley under Chris McCarron 36 years ago in 1984.

Mandella could add to that lofty resume should Extra Hope win Saturday’s 84th edition of the San Antonio. The four-year-old Shanghai Bobby colt would be seeking his third straight victory, having captured the Grade III Native Diver last out on Nov. 21 under Juan Hernandez, who would be back aboard.

Extra Hope worked four furlongs Monday in a bullet 47.80, fastest of 78 drills at the distance, the average time of which was 49.44.

The San Antonio, race number seven: Take the One O One, Jose Valdivia Jr, 15-1.; Kiss Today Goodbye, Mike Smith, 15-1; Extra Hope, Juan Hernandez, 5-1; Sharp Samurai, Flavien Prat, 5-2; Combatant, Ricardo Santana Jr, 12-1.; Midcourt, Victor Espinoza, 5-1; Idol, Gabriel Saez, 5-1; and Mucho Gusto, John Velazquez, 2-1.

EDDIE LOGAN: ALWAYS REMEMBERED, FOREVER MISSED

On Sunday, Santa Anita honors a historic link to its memorable past in Eddie Logan with the running of a $75,000 stakes, a one-mile turf race for two-year-olds presented as the third race.

Logan plied his trade as a shoeshine attendant outside Santa Anita’s Racing Office from opening day, Dec. 25, 1934, until just before his passing on Jan. 31, 2009 at the age of 98, a span of nearly 75 years.

His ingratiating personality and quick wit created an instant rapport with horsemen and fans alike, one of the most ardent Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella.

“Eddie was one of a kind,” Mandella said. “He started out by looking after my shoes but we turned out to be great friends.

“I miss him every day when I walk through that hall by the Racing Office and not hear him talking.”

The Eddie Logan: Big Fish, Umberto Rispoli, 4-1; Commander Khai, John Velazquez, 7-2; Barrister Tom, Tyler Baze, 5-1; Beer Can Man, Juan Hernandez, 5-2; Cathkin Peak, Flavien Prat, 5-1; Party Game, Abel; Cedillo, 15-1; and Ebeko, Joel Rosario, 4-1.

WINTER/SPRING WAGERING MENU HAS WIDE APPEAL

With its highly anticipated Winter/Spring Meeting opener set for Saturday, December 26, Santa Anita Park has announced a comprehensive betting menu that will again feature the popular 20 cent Single Ticket Rainbow Pick Six Jackpot and a myriad of other features, including a North American-low takeout of 15.43 percent on all two dollar Win, Place and Show wagers.

Although Santa Anita remains closed to the public due to continued restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans can watch all of the track’s live races free of charge via santaanita.com/live and can watch and wager on Santa Anita racing via a variety of ADW platforms including 1st.com/Bet.

In addition to the 20 cent Rainbow Six, Santa Anita will again offer the 50 cent Early Pick 5, which features a low 14 percent takeout, as well as the 50 cent Late Pick 5.

With the Jackpot provision in place, the 20 cent Single Ticket Rainbow Pick Six requires a perfect single ticket in order to key a potentially life changing payoff. Providing there is no single ticket winner, consolation tickets with the highest number of winners receive a payoff on 70 percent of the net pool. The remaining 30 percent is carried over to a Jackpot pool, which will continue to accrue until there is a single ticket winner or there is a designated mandatory payoff day.

The $1 Stronach Five will again be offered each Friday and will consist of a fast paced series of five races from Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park and Golden Gate Fields. The Stronach Five offers players a low takeout of 12 percent.

Santa Anita will also continue to offer the $5 Golden Hour Double, and the $1 Golden Hour Pick 4. Both wagers embrace late races at both Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields.

On most race days, there will be an Early and Late 50 cent Pick Four. On opening day, and all other days on which 11 races are carded, there will also be a 50 cent Mid-Pick Four. With 11 races on opening day, this Saturday, the Early Pick 4 will start with Race 2, the Mid-Four with Race 5 and the Late Pick Four will start with Race 8.

Players will also once again be offered one dollar exactas, two dollar rolling Daily Doubles, 50 cent rolling Pick 3s, as well as 10 cent Superfectas on all races with a minimum of six runners.

Additionally, the One Dollar Super High 5 is again available in all races with seven or more declared starters. The wager is available on all races that have seven or more declared starters. There is a 100 percent payout on all tickets selecting five winners, no consolation and a 100 percent carryover to the next race (including to the next day, if applicable).

Special early first post time on opening day, Saturday, Dec. 26, is at 11 a.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

FINISH LINES: Fans are encouraged to tune in early on Saturday for Track Announcer Frank Mirahmadi and Tom Quigley’s handicapping seminar beginning at 9:50 a.m. at santaanita.com/live. All of Santa Anita’s races will also be available free of charge at santaanita.com/live and you can watch and wager via 1st.com/Bet…Santa Anita’s popular free online “Showvivor” returns opening day with a new Total Win Earnings category and a Monthly Contest provision which will be included in the existing season-long total prize money awarded of $5,000. The contest offers a variety of cash incentives highlighted by the $2,500 top prize, which will be awarded to the longest “Show Streak” over the course of the entire Winter/Spring season which concludes on June 20. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call 626 574-RACE . . . Hard Not to Love, the one-eyed wonder filly that captured the Grade I La Brea Stakes last year, worked five furlongs for John Shirreffs this morning in 1:02.80. In all, there were 89 recorded workouts at Santa Anita, five on the training track . . . Royal Ship will miss the Grade II San Gabriel Stakes on Jan. 2. Richard Mandella reports the Brazilian-bred son of Midshipman became a gelding just yesterday . . . Reminder, there is an early first post time of 11 a.m. on opening day, Saturday, as well as on Sunday, Dec. 27, when it will be 11:30 a.m.

LATEST CONTENT FROM XBTV:

WORKOUTS:

Hard Not To Love (Sherriffs) 12-23-20

Big Fish (Hofmans) 12-23-20

Tapwater (Outside) and Affianced (Mandella) 12-23-20

Just Grazed Me (D’Amato) 12-21-20

Sharing (Motion) 12-21-20

Bezos (Outside) and Laurel River (Baffert) 12-21-20

Amuse (Outside) and Tizamagician (Mandella) 12-21-20

Express Train (Shirreffs) 12-20-20

Guitty (Powell) 12-20-20

Mucho Unusual (Outside) and Big Talker (Yakteen) 12-20-20

Mucho Gusto (Inside) and Leading Score (Baffert) 12-20-20

Idol (Baltas) 12-19-20

Merneith (Baffert) 12-19-20

Strongconstitution (O’Neill) 12-19-20

Charlatan (Baffert) 12-19-20

Collusion Illusion (Glatt) 12-19-20

Biddy Duke (O’Neill) 12-19-20

Thousand Words (Inside) and Mastering (Baffert) 12-18-20

Golden Principal (Baffert) 12-18-20

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horseracing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST LIVE and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING drives the best-in-class horseracing operations at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, and Gulfstream Park West (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the newly formed operating group for all of 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, GWS and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horseracing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST LIVE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality by delivering uniquely curated events such as InfieldFest and Pegasus LIV Stretch Village. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horseracing on and off the track. For more information please visit www.1st.com.
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