Talco Finishes Fast at Santa Anita
Ridden for the first time by Victor Espinoza, French-bred Talco rallied late to overhaul favored Boozer and take Thursday’s $60,000 allowance feature at Santa Anita by 1 ¼ lengths while covering one mile on turf in 1:34.50. Trained by John Sadler, Talco shortened up off of a close second place allowance finish going 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 5 and notched his first stateside win from six tries dating back to Aug. 31 at Del Mar.
The second choice at 2-1 in a field of eight older horses, Talco paid $6.00, $2.80 and $2.40.
“Yeah, I’d love to put him back into some graded stakes, he’s a pretty nice horse,” said Sadler. “He’s been so unlucky. In the (Grade II) Mathis Brothers Mile (fifth, beaten 1 ¾ lengths on Dec. 26) he had a tough trip and he hasn’t really had one good turf trip since he’s been here. I guess he had a good trip with no excuses against California Chrome (when third, beaten three lengths in the Grade I, 1 1/8 miles Hollywood Derby on Nov. 29), but other than that, he runs really well.”
Owned by Hronis Racing, LLC, Talco improved his overall record to 12-3-3-3, and with the winner’s take of $36,000, he increased his earnings to $182,823.
“John told me wherever he breaks, just give him a nice clean ride and don’t get stopped,” said Espinoza. “He missed the break a little bit so I sat back, I took my time and when it was time to go, that was it. He’s got a good turn of foot.”
Ridden by Gary Stevens, 8-5 favorite Boozer sat second to Pound Piece around the Club House turn, but took charge past the half mile pole. Quickly engaged by Jules Journey and Home School around the far turn, Boozer was no match late for the winner, finishing second, 2 ¾ lengths clear of Jules Journey. Trained by Mark Glatt, Boozer paid $2.80 and $2.40.
Mid-pack early under Santiago Gonzalez, Jules Journey rallied three-wide turning for home and overtook Home School late to finish third by a half length. Off at 14-1, Jules Journey paid $4.40 to show.
There was one winning ticket in Thursday’s Pick Six. Purchased at Los Alamitos for $1,152, it paid $41,361.60.
Source: Santa Anita Park