LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE

BEST BET: RACE 2, REGULATE

FIRST RACE

WORKING tipped his mitt in his debut at this level at SA June 2 as he prompted the pace and stayed on decently for 3rd. That run looks even better when you note the runner-up Michael Mundo came right back to win. He’s worked three times since and all four sibs are winners including Playing for Keeps (10 wins, $58K) and Bettys Bambino (7 wins, $390K, 3 SWs including 2 G3s, SP). DOWNSIDE UP has had lots of chances to be sure (19) but seven 2nds show he’s got ability. Two of those 2nds came on this track at this trip so he’s not out of his element. ROYAL SEEKER is another who’s had lot of opportunities (21) but like ‘UP he’s run well enough times (four 2nds, four 3rds) to show you he has some ability.

SECOND RACE

REGULATE holds a strong hand. The son of top route sire and multiple G1 SW Quality Road has shown talent and they thought enough\ of him to enter him in the G3 Lewis at SA Feb. 3. He ran 4th that day so he wasn’t disgraced, and then came back to be 3rd vs. maidens at SA March 8, a run which looks better when you note three he faced that day came right back to win. He hasn’t run since but returns as a gelding with some strong works. PLEASANT D’ORO, a son of multiple G1 SW and top sire Medaglia d’Oro, cost $340K at auction so you know there are some expectations here. He wasn’t disgraced in his debut at SA June 9 and can improve. STONEGATE was slow into stride in his debut on SA turf May 227 but ran on decently to close the gap while finishing 6th. He’s a $230K son of Paynter, a multiple G1 SW on dirt so the move to this footing should be no sweat, and some sharp works since including a bullet at SA June 22 bode well. His lone sib is Chattolanee (2 wins, $22K).

THIRD RACE

LOUDEN’S GRAY comes here in peak form having won his last two at SA. Not only did Martin see fit to claim him off that last win June 8, he returns him in a spot where he can’t lose him via another claim. Martin is super off the claim (37%) and a strong work June 22 says he’s doing well. ROCKY’S SHOW comes off a smart win over cheaper going shorter here June 3. Not only was he claimed and is brought back with no tag attached, but he’s handled this type of longer game before. A bullet work June 22 says he holds his edge. ADRIATIC SON dueled and stayed on well for 3rd at SA June 8, not far behind LOUDEN’S GRAY (1 3/4 lengths). In other words, he fits, and this is his home base.

FOURTH RACE

BELLAFINA cost a pretty penny as the 2yo daughter of Quality Road brought $800K at auction. She debuts with plenty of good works for a trainer who’s quite capable first time out. Her lone sib is full-bro Diamond King (4 for 8, $237K, 2 SWs, G3 SP). LIL MISS MOPPET is a $400K daughter of top sire and 2yo male champion Uncle Mo. She’s worked well for her debut for Baffert, who of course does superbly first time out (34%). KEEPER OFTHE STARS is a $180K daughter of champion sprinter Midnight Lute. She’s worked well for her debut for Hollendorfer, who does well first time out. In fact, Hollendorfer unveiled high-priced 2yo Instagrand to romp by 11 in his debut here last week. KATIELEIGH is the best of the experienced hands as she was on the pace before finishing 2nd to a runaway winner in her debut at SA June 7. A bullet 3f work here since (:33.80) bodes well.

FIFTH RACE

ABOVE BOARD not only looked super blasting $8K foes at SA June 2 at this trip, Glatt saw fit to claim him and gives him a most encouraging multiplelevel price hike off the claim. In fact, since he’s out of ‘jail’ being doubled in value is a big thumbsup. PLUM DANDY dueled before tiring to 8th at SA May 19 but you can be forgiving. Not only was he facing much tougher, that was his first start in 19 months. The $500K son of Medaglia d’Oro was thought enough of to get a shot at the G1 FrontRunner at SA, albeit back in October 2016. With