Cuyathy likes downhill course

ARCADIA, Calif. – A game third-place finish by Cuyathy in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course last year has given trainer William E. Morey hope that the filly can win her first start in more than seven months, a downhill sprint at Santa Anita on Thursday.

Cuyathy “needed a freshening” after finishing sixth in an optional claimer for turf sprinters at Golden Gate Fields last October. In recent weeks, Cuyathy has worked fast on the Tapeta synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields, including six furlongs in 1:12.40 on May 21. The works give Morey additional encouragement that the filly can be competitive in Southern California.

“She ran well down the hill last year,” Morey said. “Our thoughts are to try it again.”

Cuyathy is among a field of five in the optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course, the second of eight races on Thursday’s program.

KEY CONTENDERS

Cuyathy, by Congrats Last 3 Beyers: 67-79-71

◗ Cuyathy has won twice: a maiden race on the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields in March 2016 and an allowance race at five furlongs on turf there last September. Cuyathy was winless in four starts in Southern California last spring and summer, beginning with the third-place finish on the hillside turf course.

◗ Cuyathy, who races for Joe and Debby McCloskey, is quick and could be part of the pace on Thursday, Morey said. She could face pressure from Indriya, a group-level stakes winner in Brazil in 2015. Indriya is winless in six starts in California but has been second twice.

“I think we’ll be close,” Morey said. “I think we’re in with a fighting chance. Her hillside race was pretty good.

“I think the last two works at Golden Gate were very strong. The Tapeta is a slower track than the dirt at Santa Anita, obviously.”

Scattagirl, by Scat Daddy Last 3 Beyers: 75-85-79

◗ A three-time winner and former maiden claimer, Scattagirl was second by a neck in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course at 21-1 on March 19 but only fourth in a similar race at 9-2 on May 4.

“Last time, there was not much pace, and she didn’t really kick,” trainer Leonard Powell said.

◗ Anita Partner, who won the May 4 race, was third in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes on the hillside turf course last Saturday.

◗ The presence of runners such as Cuyathy and Indriya leave Powell hopeful that Scattagirl will be well placed.

“We should have a good trip,” he said. “She’s doing well.”

◗ Symposium and Demigoddess also start. Symposium, the winner of three minor sprint handicaps in England last year, has been sixth and ninth in her first two starts in this country. Demigoddess will be a longshot.