SANTA ANITA $512K jackpot up for grabs

ARCADIA, Calif. – Thursday at Santa Anita, Beau Square tries to win consecutive races for the first time in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

Bettors, meanwhile, try to take down a Rainbow pick six with a jackpot carryover of $512,056. To win the jackpot, a bettor must have the lone winning ticket. There is a mandatory payout of the jackpot on the autumn meet’s closing day, Nov. 4.

Beau Square runs in race 5, the third leg of the Rainbow pick six, which runs on the last six races on the card.

Beau Square was away slowly at Del Mar on Sept. 1 in her last race, but closed with a wide rally under Tyler Baze to win the optional claimer at five furlongs on turf by a neck.

Beau Square’s start has been delayed five days. She was entered in last Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap at five furlongs on turf but was withdrawn when the race was transferred to the main track because of rain.

Thursday’s longer distance is a slight concern for trainer Jack Carava, who claimed Beau Square for $40,000 last March on behalf of Paymaster Racing. Baze retains the mount.

“I think she’s a little better going five-eighths than 6 1/2 furlongs,” Carava said. “I think if he rides her right, she will be finishing.”

Beau Square, who has won 3 of 13 starts, is part of a field of eight. She is one of two runners in the field coming off a win. Dominating Woman won an optional claimer at a mile at Los Alamitos on Sept. 20 in which she was eligible to be claimed for $62,500. Dominating Woman is not entered for a claiming price on Thursday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Beau Square, by Square Eddie Last 3 Beyers: 87-79-75

◗ Beau Square had five starts from early January to late April before she was rested during the summer. “She got sick,” Carava said. ◗ Since the win on Sept. 1, Beau Square has been schooled in the gate, Carava said.

“She’s been working okay,” Carava said.

Swirling, by Twirling Candy Last 3 Beyers: 88-85-85

◗ In four starts, Swirling has never been worse than second. She won her first two starts and finished second in an optional claimer last year. In her only start this year, Swirling closed from seventh in a field of eight to finish second in an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf. Race winner Painting Corners returned to win an optional claimer on Oct. 6.

◗ Swirling is effective only on turf, trainer John Sadler said.

“She can’t run on the dirt,” he said. “When I breeze her on the dirt, she’s terrible, but when I put her on the turf, she’s good.”

Spin Me a Kiss, by Hard Spun Last 3 Beyers: 87-86-73

◗ Spin Me a Kiss was third behind Painting Corners and Swirling on Aug. 24 in her first start since May. A 4-yearold trained by Phil D’Amato, Spin Me a Kiss raced in traffic in the first quarter-mile and was beaten a length. D’Amato expects Spin Me a Kiss to be near the front on Thursday.

“I thought she ran well last time,” he said. “I expect a winning effort.”