Twentytwentyvision back on preferred footing in San Marcos
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Turf specialist Twentytwentyvision performed admirably to finish third in the San Gabriel Stakes last out, despite the fact that the 1 1/8-mile race was run over a sloppy main track when wet weather forced it to be moved from the grass.
Trainer Richard Mandella expects Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Marcos Stakes at a mile and a quarter to remain on turf when Twentytwentyvision runs from the 13 post position in a full field of 14 entered.
In 15 career starts, Twentytwentyvision has run 10 on turf, winning four, with three seconds and three thirds.
“I think turf is a little better for him and a mile and a quarter should suit him,” Mandella said. “I expect him to run a big race and I’m not concerned about being on the outside going this distance.”
The San Marcos, the last of nine races: A Red Tie Day, Corey Nakatani, 15-1; Flamboyant, Brice Blanc, 4-1; Itsinthepost, Tyler Baze, 12-1; Blue Tone, Martin Garcia, 12-1; Texas Ryano, Joe Talamo, 3-1; Power Ped, Stewart Elliott, 20-1; Gustnado, Rafael Bejarano, 20-1; Perfectly Majestic, Kent Desormeaux, 10-1; Conquest Daddyo, Luis Contreras, 12-1; Some in Tieme, T.J. Pereira, 15-1; Isotherm, Flavien Prat, 6-1; Hi Happy, Altair Dominguez, 10-1; Twentytwentyvision, Mike Smith, 6-1; and Frank Conversation, Mario Gutierrez, 6-1.
TRAINER ARMANDO LAGE DEAD AT AGE 59
Trainer Armando Lage died of a heart attack at 2 a.m. Tuesday morning at his home in Richmond, California, according to his long-time friend, fellow trainer O.J. Jauregui. Lage (pronounced LA-hay) was 59.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Golden Gate Fields, where Lage was a Bay Area fixture in recent years. He had 1,259 career wins from 9,083 starters who earned more than $20 million.
“He was a good trainer and a better person,” said fellow trainer Steve Miyadi. “He was strong mentally and physically, a great father and a stand-up guy who told it the way it was, which so few do.”
Lage is survived by his wife, Iga, two daughters and several grandchildren.
FINISH LINES: Jockey Drayden Van Dyke, 22, is at home in Pasadena recovering from a broken right arm suffered in a two-horse spill at Santa Anita on Jan. 26. “He’s out of the hospital and had lunch the other day with Mike Smith,” said Van Dyke’s agent, Brad Pegram, who also represents Smith . . . San Clemente Handicap winner Mokat worked five furlongs on Santa Anita’s fast main track Thursday in 1:00.60 under Kent Desormeaux, after which trainer Richard Baltas said her next race would be the Grade II, $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile on grass Feb. 18 . . . There were 261 recorded works Thursday, 22 on the dirt training track . . . There is a Pick Six carryover of $71,437.76 going into today’s card, with the total pool expected to approach $500,000 . . . Santa Anita hosts the Dumpling and Wonton Festival Saturday. Patrons can snack on scrumptious Asian and Asian-inspired dumplings and wontons on Santa Anita’s trackside apron. Buy online and save at www.santaanita.com/events . . . On Sunday, the day of The Big Game, live racing at Santa Anita begins at 11 a.m., allowing fans to watch The Big Game at Sirona’s Sports Bar after the races or to be home in time to view it. Sirona’s will offer $5 drink specials all day. General admission to the track that day is only one dollar . . . Clocker Andy Harrington will be Tom Quigley’s guest Saturday at 11:20 a.m. in the East Paddock Gardens. There is no seminar Sunday.
Source: Santa Anita Park
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