Mixed field, with stakes berths as goal

ARCADIA, Calif. – Several runners in Sunday’s seventh race at Santa Anita have been tried in stakes with mixed results the last year. Sunday’s race – an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at 1 1/8 miles on turf – could propel a few back into stakes this summer.

The optional claimer is the leading race on a nine-race program that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Oscar Dominguez, by Zoffany Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-84

◗ Oscar Dominguez was eighth in the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf March 24, but rebounded to win an optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on turf by 3 1/2 lengths April 28. A closer, the 5-year-old Oscar Dominguez was claimed for $40,000 that day by Jack Carava on behalf of Mark Enlow.

◗ The quick turnaround is a slight concern for Carava.

“I would prefer to give him more time,” he said. “If we waited, it would have been a long time for another race.

“He’s a consistent horse. It seemed like a good buy for $40,000. Hopefully, we can get some instant dividends.”

Lifeline, by Tapit Last 3 Beyers: 79-83-67

◗ Lifeline will race without blinkers for the first time Sunday following an eighthplace finish in an optional claimer March 4 in which he was near the lead and faded in the final furlong.

“He got a little hard to handle in that race,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “We took the blinkers off. We’ve taken some time to settle him down and I think he will. He’s done better.”

Ritzy A.P., by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 83-90-87

◗ Ritzy A.P. was fifth in the Grade 3 American Stakes in his first start of the year April 21. It was the first time he was ridden by Geovanni Franco. Franco has the mount Sunday on the 4-year-old colt, who was sixth in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby last November.

“He’ll probably be a little better with a race under his belt,” trainer Dan Blacker said. “He’s one the jockey needs to get to know.”

◗ Blacker hopes that Sunday’s race will lead to summertime stakes for Ritzy A.P.

“He’s got to win before we start dreaming,” Blacker said.

Twentytwentyvision, by Pollard’s Vision Last 3 Beyers: 89-87-87

◗ A 7-year-old gelding, Twentytwentyvision is entered to be claimed for $62,500.

◗ He was a well-beaten second to Hoppertunity in the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at 1 1/2 miles on dirt April 8. Twentytwentyvision is winless in 11 starts since a victory in the Rolling Green Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in September 2016.

Bird Is the Word, by Birdstone Last 3 Beyers: 87-92-85

◗ Bird Is the Word was second in the Obviously Mile here last October on turf, and ninth in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields on March 31 in his first start of 2018. A repeat of his win in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar last August would make this 4-year-old competitive.

Fabozzi, by Sidney’s Candy Last 3 Beyers: 89-81-94

◗ Fabozzi was third in an optional claimer at a mile March 29 and will start in the longest race of his career Sunday. Trained by Mark Glatt, Fabozzi has set the pace in some of his starts, including a win in a maiden claimer on turf in 2016.