Red Lightning may be hard to catch

ARCADIA, Calif. – Red Lightning does not have the most glamorous race record of the runners in Friday’s seventh race at Santa Anita, but he fits the race as well if not better than a few of his higherprofile rivals.

Red Lightning won an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at 6 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 26 and was third in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs Feb. 3. Friday, Red Lightning is back in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at 6 1/2 furlongs.

The 4-year-old colt may be too tough to catch.

Red Lightning’s recent form suggests he is sharp enough to beat Multiplier, who has not raced since finishing 10th in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes last June, and Ten Blessings, who is unraced since finishing third in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes here in December 2016.

Trained by William Morey, Red Lightning is expected to set the pace.

“I think his best asset is being on the lead,” Morey said.

KEY CONTENDERS

Red Lightning, by Midshipman Last 3 Beyers: 94-92-86

◗ Owned by Cuyathy LLC, Red Lightning was beaten 4 3/4 lengths in the four-runner Palos Verdes by Roy H, the champion sprinter of 2017. Red Lightning dueled for the lead to early stretch before fading from contention.

“We took a shot last time, and the stakes came up a short field,” Morey said. “I think he ran a credible race.”

◗ Red Lightning will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux, who has ridden the colt to both of his wins.

Multiplier, by The Factor Last 3 Beyers: 50-94-94

◗ Multiplier won the Grade 3 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne last April before finishing sixth in the Preakness Stakes on May 20. In the Belmont, Multiplier raced wide and finished 47 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Tapwrit.

◗ Brendan Walsh trained Multiplier last year. The colt joined trainer Peter Miller’s stable this winter and has trained steadily at Del Mar in recent months.

◗ Miller said Friday’s race is a prep for the $300,000 Essex Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park on March 17. The goal on Friday is to see Multiplier “hopefully finish up the race.”

“He’s a two-turn horse,” Miller said. “We’re using this as a prep just to get him race ready.”

Ten Blessings, by Smart Strike Last 3 Beyers: 102-106-89

◗ Ten Blessings was beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Mind Your Biscuits in the 2016 Malibu, going off as the 8-5 favorite in his stakes debut. Trainer Bob Baffert said Ten Blessings missed 2017 because of an injury that did not require surgery.

◗ Typical of a Baffert-trained runner, Ten Blessings has shown quick workouts recently, including five furlongs in 58.20 seconds Feb. 21.

“He’s been doing well,” Baffert said. “It’s a tough little race.”

◗ Wednesday, Baffert was most concerned about the weather. There is a chance of rain on Friday, and Baffert would prefer a fast track for the 5-year-old horse’s comeback.