Take It Easyplease Removes Blinkers and Wins Friday Feature at Los Al
Racing without blinkers for the first time since May 16, 2015, Take It Easyplease responded to the equipment change and won the $47,380 feature Friday at Los Alamitos.
Reserved off the pace by jockey Rafael Bejarano, the 4-year-old daughter of Ministers Wild Cat and the Gulch mare Big Easy rallied in the final eighth of a mile to defeat 16-1 shot Miss Star Maker and seven others in the optional claimer for California bred or sired fillies and mares.
Trained by Richard Baltas for Abbondanza Racing LLC, Take It Easyplease completed the mile in 1:36.39 for her third win in 16 starts. She’s earned $99,590.
Favored for the fifth race in a row – and sixth time in her last seven outings - the 19-10 choice returned $5.80, $3.80 and $3 while prevailing by three-quarters of a length.
Miss Star Maker, who opened up a one-length advantage through six furlongs after disposing of pacesetter Cuddle Alert, paid $11.40 and $5.80 while finishing 1 ½ lengths in front of 5-2 second choice Desert Madam. The show price on Desert Madam, who had a two-race win streak snapped, was $2.80.
With two days remaining in the Spring Thoroughbred meet, Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux has a 10-7 lead over Mario Gutierrez in the jockey standings. Tyler Baze, Tiago Pereira and Edwin Maldonado – who doubled Friday – have six wins.
In the trainer’s race, Doug O’Neill has six victories, one more than Mike Harrington and Mark Glatt.
Racing resumes Saturday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 2 p.m.
The feature on the nine-race program is the first running of the $150,000 California Chrome Stakes.
Restricted to 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, the California Chrome will go as the eighth with a scheduled post time of 5:28 p.m.
The 2-1 favorite on Russ Hudak’s morning line is Uncle Lino, who finished third behind Exaggerator and Mor Spirit in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby April 9. Fernando Perez, who escaped injury in a spill in Thursday’s final race, will ride for Tom Mansor, Purple Shamrock Racing and trainer Gary Sherlock.
There will also be a California Chrome T-shirt giveaway – one per paid admission while supplies last.
Source: Los Alamitos Race Course