Chips All In Ready for Eddie D.
With six wins, five seconds and one third from 15 starts, Chips All In is as steady as they come, especially on Santa Anita’s unique downhill turf course at about 6 ½ furlongs, which is where the 4-year-old colt runs at Santa Anita Friday in the Grade III Eddie D. Stakes.
The Kentucky-bred son of North Light was second in last year’s Joe Hernandez Handicap, missing by a nose to Unbridled’s Note, last year’s Eddie D. winner and 7-2 morning line choice to win Friday.
Trained by Jeff Mullins, Chips All In has lost only once in four starts on Santa Anita’s turf course, and has a win and a second in two races going down the hill.
“He loves the downhill course,” said Julien Leparoux, who has ridden the bay in his last two races, each at one mile on Del Mar’s turf course. “He’s very consistent, tries all the time and 6 ½ is probably his best distance.
“He’s got a great shot on Friday.”
The field for the Eddie D.: Et Tu Walker, Mario Gutierrez, 8-1; Huntsville, Victor Espinoza, 30-1; Caracortado, Aaron Gryder, 6-1; Boat Trip, Garrett Gomez, 8-1; Unbridled’s Note, Corey Nakatani, 7-2; Rock Me Baby, Edwin Maldonado, 10-1; Chips All In, Leparoux, 4-1; Rosengold, Martin Garcia, 20-1; Sirocco Strike, Joe Talamo, 8-1; Snowday, Rafael Bejarano, 8-1; Majestic City, Gary Stevens, 15-1; and El Mirage King, Chantal Sutherland-Kruse, 30-1. Handsome Mike and Koast were scratched.