ARCADIA, Calif. – A 2-for-2 filly from Northern California seeks her third straight victory Friday in her Southern California debut. Wagering value is minimal.
Attracted, heavily backed twice at Pleasanton, will be strongly bet in the sixth race Friday at Santa Anita. Blaine Wright trains the 4-year-old, a runaway debut winner and decisive allowance winner. The word was out before she even ran as Attracted was a 7-10 favorite in both starts.
“She showed signs of being a pretty good horse early on,” Wright said. After her 12-length debut romp up north, “I thought she could maybe run with those horses in the first condition down south. It’s nice to be able to run in a restricted race that she’s still eligible for.”
Attracted won’t face any Southern California runners quite yet. Friday’s six-furlong allowance is restricted to Northern California-based fillies and mares who have not won $21,000 other than maiden or claiming. Attracted earned $15,600 winning the Pleasanton allowance.
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Eight entered the Santa Anita race in which Attracted is likely to start favored over Victoria’s Charge, Rousing Jewel, Tiger Queen, and runaway debut winner Happy.
Coincidentally, there’s another Pleasanton shipper who’s well-placed in the co-featured seventh race on Friday. California-bred allowance fillies and mares from any circuit go a mile on dirt, where Smiling Lady stretches out as possible pacesetter over a speed-friendly surface. Entering the week, pacesetters had won six of the last seven dirt miles.
Attracted, a blocky sprinter who followed her smashing debut with a more impressive allowance victory, might be the best horse running Friday at Santa Anita. Many believe a horse’s second career start is the tell-all, particularly off a debut win.
“If a horse can run third or fourth [facing] winners for the first time, then you might have something,” Wright said.
Attracted went better. She tucked inside, took dirt, split rivals, and won by 1 3/4 lengths. Her 82 Beyer Speed Figure is the highest dirt figure in the Friday allowance.
Attracted was ridden twice by Alexander Chavez; Kazushi Kimura will ride Friday. Kimura worked Attracted five furlongs Jan. 11 at Santa Anita, a 1:01.40 drill that was her first work over the track.
“I picked her up at the quarter pole, she came home in 24 and change, and Kimura was really pleased with her,” Wright said.
From an outside post (7 of 8), with a high figure last out and versatile running style, Attracted should be tough in the restricted race. Through Friday’s card, nine of the 96 races this winter at Santa Anita will have been tailored to horses from Northern California.
Another favorite who looks tough runs earlier in race 3. Cowboy Mike returns from a four-month layoff in the seven-furlong starter allowance. Cowboy Mike is trained by Bob Baffert, who acknowledged the distance challenge. Cowboy Mike is 0 for 3 in sprints, 4 for 9 in routes.
“He’s training well, but seven-eighths . . .” Baffert said. “He should handle it. I’m just glad to get a horse racing” again.
Juan Hernandez rides Cowboy Mike. The gelding’s rivals include Code Duello and Clampett.
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