ORTIZ NAMED TO RIDE ANOTHERTWISTAFATE IN PREAKNESS
The DRF’s Jay Privman reported Tuesday morning that El Camino Real Derby winner Anothertwistafate will be ridden by Jose Ortiz in the $1,500,000 Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 18.
Trained by Blaine Wright, Anothertwistafate has been ridden by two different riders in his past two races. Local jockey Juan Hernandez was aboard Anothertwistafate when the 3-year-old colt finished second to next-out 10th place Kentucky Derby finisher Cutting Humor in the Sunland Derby on March 24. Javier Castellano navigated Anothertwistafate to a runner up finish in the Lexington Stakes last month.
Last Saturday, Anothertwistafate worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 over the Golden Gate Tapeta. According to Wright’s barn foreman, Pascual Garcia, Anothertwistafate will work once more over the weekend before shipping to Pimlico on Monday.
“[Anothertwistafate] is doing great,” said Garcia. “He has put on weight since his last start and is feeling good. He’ll be ready to go on race day.”
Anothertwistafate has earned Beyer speed figures of 94, 94 and 95 in his past three starts. His most impressive win, a 7-length romp in the El Camino Real Derby, was well-received by the general public. Three horses have won coming out the El Camino Real Derby: California Derby champion Kingly and locals The Creep and Angelo’s Pride. More Ice and Mayor Cobb, two additional equines who ran in the El Camino Real Derby, have placed in stakes races since then.
Among the Preakness possibles set to take on Anothertwistafate: Alwaysmining, Bodexpress, Bourbon War, Improbable, Laughing Fox, Owendale, Signalman, War Of Will and Win Win Win.
PAIR OF MAIDEN RACES, ALLOWANCE HIGHLIGHT FRIDAY 8 RACE PROGRAM
A solid 8-race program on Friday features 2 maiden special weight races and an allowance for fillies and mares on the turf.
Race 2 is a maiden special weight on grass for 3-year-olds and upward sprinting five furlongs. Among the major contenders are the John Sadler trained pair of Persuasive Cat and Sneem. Persuasive Cat faces easier company in Northern California after a number of off-the-board finishes in Southern California while Sneem makes his U.S. debut after being privately purchased by Sadler and owners Hronis Racing LLC. The son of Sir Prancelot was last seen running third at Leopardstown Racecourse in Ireland on August 10, 2017. Another colt that has not run since 2017, Way Gone, makes his first start for owner/trainer Librado Barocio. Interestingly enough, his last start resulted in a ninth place finish behind eventual Breeders Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner City of Light. True Regards, from the Ed Moger Jr. barn, and the Jonathan Wong trained Mercy Rule are two local horses that figure to get support in the wagering.
Race 5, an allowance race for fillies and mares going one mile on the turf, is led by allowance winner and stakes placed filly Gettin Sideways. The daughter of Grazen has completed the exacta in her past two starts. Set to tackle Gettin Sideways is stakes winner The Spiral Jetter, Southern California shipper Party Dancer, and the Manny Badilla trained pair of Ziarah and Kynance. Ziarah comes off a gutsy win against high-level claiming company while Kynance most recently scored a dominant maiden victory on the Tapeta. Race 5 is also Leg C of the $1 Stronach 5 wager, which features a $100,000 guaranteed pool and an industry low 12% takeout.
Race 7, a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds going six furlongs on the Tapeta, drew a field of 8. Emerald Magic comes off a fast-finishing second place finish for trainer Bill McClean and may go off favored. First time starters I Declare War, a $57,000 sale purchase by Decleration Of War and a half sibling to Grade 2 placed filly Dixie City, and the Steve Specht trained Lucky B Mine adds appeal to a competitive event.
First post on Friday is 12:45 PM.
FINISH LINES: Owner Scott Herbertson indicated that Golden Gate Fields stakes winner Tribal Storm is bound for Royal Ascot. Trained by Scott’s son Ari, Tribal Storm is among 41 nominees for the June 19 King’s Stand Stakes, a 5 furlong turf sprint. Other notables on the list of nominees: Grade I talents Blue Point, Sergei Prokofiev and Soldier’s Call….Abel Cedillo is back in the saddle after taking a couple of weeks off to recuperate from injuries sustained in an April 20 spill. “He’s doing well and healed up quite quickly,” said Cedillo’s agent Tom “Bomber” Doutrich…2018 Golden Poppy Stakes winner Bella Luma races in the $100,000 Frans Valentine Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares on turf at Santa Anita this Sunday. She makes her first start for trainer Brian Koriner…$23,033 is carried over into Thursday’s Golden Pick Six jackpot pool…POST TIMES THIS WEEK: Thursday and Friday has a first post time of 12:45 PM PT while Saturday and Sunday will have a first post of 1:15 PM PT.