Photo by Jon Putman / Eclipse Sportswire
Santa Anita’s Thursday and Friday programs each have a race at the 2-year-old open, both with five competitions on the soil. Trainer Bob Buffert has morning favourites at both events.
Thursday’s second race for the boys Phillies, first starter Himika It is installed as a favorite of Baffert’s 7-5 program. Himika is by Carlin from the motivated seller of Meechifu Mare, who was the winner of the bets of trainer Chad Brown. Himika was purchased for $900,000 by owner Baoma Corp. on OBS April sales at 2-year-old training.
Himika has worked five times since May 9th for the announcement, including the recent consecutive gate drills. On Saturday, Himika signaled her preparations with a quick four-furlong job from the gate in 46.80 seconds. She draws the rails and places Juan Hernandez on it.
Baffert also has a saddle bottle from Rouge, the second choice of 2-1. The Rouge bottle owned by Natalie Baffert’s wife is by Vino Rosso from the corner of the Bluegrass Cat Marley Blues. Purchased an auction for $100,000 for a year. The rouge bottle has Kazushi Kimura.
Baffert Duo’s main competitor is Mist, a 3-1 choice, 3-1. With the biggest prank, the steamy Misty fired a bullet on May 25th as he excavated four furlongs from the gate in 46.60 seconds. She returned a week later and worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds. Jockey Hector Belios makes a suffocating fog call.
In Friday’s second race, Colt Desert Gate is a favorite of Buffate’s 6-5 program. Omaha Beach comes from Theogony, which is placed in a phased stakes, with Carlin’s dessert gate being an OBS March sale with owners Michael Pegram, Carl Watson and Paul Wightman, an auction purchase of $260,000 earlier this year. He has worked seven times since April 18th and has been riding Hernandez for his debut.
The main threat to Desert Gate is Aumponed Gemeplz, one of the two runners on the field trained by Doug O’Neill. Installed as the second choice of Morning Line 2-1, Ancounled Gemeplz is Florida bred by Bucchero and yes, it’s a real Mare Dixieland band. He was purchased for $75,000 at the of March sale by owners Purple Lace and Mark. D. Davis. Acknowledgments have been working eight times to make their debut since April 20th. He’ll have Antonio Frez ride him.
