Awesome Return Takes on Turf Classic Field
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Awesome Return may never win an Eclipse Award, but he’s a horse any trainer would like to have in his barn.
That includes Mike Puype, who conditions the 4-year-old son of Decarchy for owner/breeder Richard Kritzki. The bay colt goes for his fifth victory from 11 starts when he runs in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles.
“He has no bad habits,” Puype said. “He’s all race horse. He’s never run a bad turf race; eight starts, four wins, one second, three thirds. He’s earned $354,780, which is not bad. It helps pay the bills.”
The Turf Classic field: Tamarando, Corey Nakatani. 10-1; G.G. Ryder, Rafael Bejarano, 12-1; Alert Bay, Tyler Baze, 5-2; Patriots Rule, Fernando Perez, 15-1; Big Bane Theory, Joe Talamo, 3-1; Bench Light, Elvis Trujillo, 8-1; Awesome Return, Kent Desormeaux, 4-1; Stoney Fleece, Tiago Pereira, 30-1; Boozer, Gary Stevens, 8-1; Super Ability, Martin Garcia, 12-1; Christopher Street, Drayden Van Dyke, 12-1; and Alpine Luck, Brice Blanc, 50-1.
HEAT TRAP HAS BETTER THAN ‘OUTSIDE’ CHANCE
Heat Trap moves from inside to outside in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint at about 6 ½ furlongs, and Victor Espinoza likes the change.
“The trip is important, especially going down the hill,” Espinoza said. “Last time I rode her (second in the Grade II Monrovia breaking from the No. 3 post position), I was in a little traffic with her.
“Everywhere I went, some horse was slowing down in front of me, but she tries. She’s pretty amazing. I like the outside (14) post better than the inside. I think I have a better chance.”
The field: More Complexity, Mario Gutierrez, 6-1; Home Journey, Tyler Baze, 6-1; Velvet Mesquite, Mike Smith, 4-1; Tribal Gal, Rafael Bejarano, 8-1; Heavens Stairway, Corey Nakatani, 6-1; Go West Marie, Gary Stevens, 12-1; Doinghardtimeagain, Elvis Trujillo, 15-1; Kathleen Rose, Kent Desormeaux, 6-1; My Monet, Martin Garcia, 30-1; Marks Mine, Frank Alvarado, 15-1; Magic Spot, Drayden Van Dyke, 20-1; and Heat Trap, Victor Espinoza, 9-2.
Air of Royalty and Shakeitupbetty were scratched.
SPECHT SEEKS BETTER LUCK FOR MARKS MINE
If stakes races are being run for California-breds at Santa Anita, Steve Specht must be on hand. And so he is for tomorrow’s Sunshine Millions California Cup Day extravaganza at The Great Race Place.
Specht sends out the consistent Benchmark mare Marks Mine in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint, a race she was second in by a half-length last year.
“She’s doing good, she shipped down (from Golden Gate) good,” Specht said. “The race looks tough. It looks like there’s a lot of gas in there, but she’s pretty quick herself. If she gets a good break from the gate, she’ll be on the lead or right there.
“She got beat last year and I think the little jump (she experienced) coming across the dirt might have been the reason she got beat. She went from a half a length in front to a half a length behind in one step, and she lost by a half-length, so that would have done it.”
Specht also sends out Swiss swimmer in the $200,000 California Cup Oaks. Both horses are owned and bred by Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams.
Source: Ed Golden, Santa Anita Stable Notes
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