Santa Anita Stable Notes Friday, December 29, 2023

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

• GLATT GOES 3-FOR-3 OPENING DAY INCLUDING GII MATHIS MILE WIN • 2-YEAR-OLDS IN SPOTLIGHT FRIDAY WITH PAIR OF TURF STAKES • HIGHLY REGARDED NYSOS WORKS A HALF MILE FOR BAFFERT • QUARTET OF JOCKEYS OFF TO FAST START AT CLASSIC MEET

GLATT GOES 3-FOR-3 OPENING DAY INCLUDING GII MATHIS MILE WIN Mark Glatt, who secured his first Santa Anita trainer’s title at the most recent Autumn Meet, got the 2023-24 Classic Meet off to a rousing start Tuesday with three wins including the GII Mathis Mile with Watsonville ($11).

In addition to Watsonville, Glatt won the fourth race with promising prospect Judge Miller ($3.20), a full brother to multiple Grade I winner Clairiere, and the seventh race with Beef Winslow ($7). They were Glatt’s only three starters on the card.

“Obviously opening day is always more exciting and we thought we had three very good chances heading in,” Glatt said. “You never know, but we were confident. You need some luck on your side as well.”

During the 19-day Santa Anita Autumn Meet that ended Nov. 5, Glatt had 12 wins to edge perennial Santa Anita leading trainer Phil D’Amato by a single victory.

Entering Friday’s action, the Glatt barn this year has set all-time highs in both wins (79) and purse earnings ($4,797,132).

2-YEAR-OLDS TAKE SPOTLIGHT FRIDAY IN EDDIE LOGAN, BLUE NORTHER Highlighting Friday’s nine-race card are a pair of one-mile turf stakes: the $100,000 Eddie Logan for 2-year-olds and $100,000 Blue Norther for 2-year-old fillies.

The Eddie Logan attracted a nine-horse field led by 5-2 morning-line favorite American Hope for trainer Phil D’Amato. The well-pedigreed American Hope exits a maiden-breaking win going a mile on turf at Del Mar Nov. 12 in his second start. Top rider Flavien Prat has the call on the son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of Grade I winner Room Service, by More Than Ready.

Three horses were scratched from the Eddie Logan Friday morning including Stay Hot, the 7-2 co-third choice on the morning line for trainer Peter Eurton. The other scratches are Practically Broke (8-1) and Invincible (12-1).

The Eddie Logan goes as the seventh race with post time at approximately 3 p.m. The field in post position order: Charge for Gold, Ricky Gonzalez (12-1); Lord Bullingdon, Umberto Rispoli (3-1); Practically Broke, Juan Hernandez (SCR); Invincible, Luis Contreras (SCR); Twirling Point, Kazushi Kimura (6-1); Final Boss, Frankie Dettori (8-1); Miracle Mark, Diego Herrera (7-2); American Hope, Flavien Prat (5-2); Stay Hot, Antonio Fresu (SCR).

The Blue Norther drew a field of nine including 7-2 program favorite Zona Verde for D’Amato. Bred in Ireland, the daughter of the Kingman stallion Calyx most recently won the GIII Jimmy Durante going a mile on turf at Del Mar. Dec. 2.

Another intriguing contender is Chatalas for trainer Mark Glatt, who will be making her turf debut just 21 days after finishing fourth in the GII Starlet at Los Alamitos. Prior to the Starlet, Chatalas won the GII Chandelier going two turns on dirt here Oct. 7 and was a troubled ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

The Blue Norther goes as the fifth race Friday with post time at approximately 2 p.m. PT. The field in post position order: Hattie T, Armando Ayuso; Antifona, Hector Berrios; Chatalas, Frankie Dettori; Blue Oasis, Kazushi Kimura; Highlands, Flavien Prat; Zona Verde, Juan Hernandez; Medoro, Antonio Fresu; Mo Fox Givin, Umberto Rispoli; April Vintage, Edwin Maldonado.

HIGHLY REGARDED NYSOS WORKS A HALF MILE FOR BAFFERT Among the 168 workers Friday at Santa Anita was Nysos, the unbeaten colt who has won his two starts by a combined 19 lengths for Bob Baffert.

Nysos drilled a half mile on the main track in 47.80 seconds, which was the 12th fastest of 100 moves at the distance. It was Nysos’s third work since winning the seven-furlong GIII Bob Hope by 8 ¾ lengths at Del Mar Nov. 19.

Prior to the Bob Hope, Nysos won his debut going six furlongs on dirt at Santa Anita by 10 ½ lengths on Oct. 21.

Owned by Baoma Corp., Nysos is by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist out of the unraced Bernardini mare Zetta Z. Baoma purchased Nysos for $550,000 at this year’s OBS April Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

FINISH LINES: Jockey Flavien Prat won three races opening day including the GI Malibu aboard favorite Speed Boat Beach ($5.20)…Antonio Fresu won two graded stakes opening day, while both Umberto Rispoli and Edwin Maldonado each also bagged a pair of winners. Fresu’s wins came aboard Easter ($3.40) in the GII San Gabriel and Watsonville ($11) in the GII Mathis Mile. Rispoli won the GI American Oaks with Anisette ($3.20) and the first race with Bigofromfresno ($10.20). Madonado scored in the second race with Colorado Cruiser ($12.20) and 11th race with Visually ($23)…Juan Hernandez bagged one winner, but he made it count, as CA-bred Daddysruby took the Grade I La Brea by a nose…Every Friday during the Classic Meet fans will enjoy free admission and parking plus $3 beers and $5 margaritas…Santa Anita will host a special New Year’s Day card on Monday with first post at 12 p.m. PT. On-track promotions include $1 beers and sodas and $2 hot dogs for all those in attendance.