Mucho Unusual eyes revenge

ARCADIA, Calif. – Mucho Unusual has a score to settle with Creative Instinct on Friday at Santa Anita.

They meet in the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies, a sprint for California-bred or -sired 2-year-old fillies, under circumstances more favorable for Mucho Unusual than in her first encounter with Creative Instinct in a summer stakes at Del Mar.

Creative Instinct went into the Generous Portion Stakes with an experience advantage. It was her second start following a sharp debut victory. She pressed the pace outside and won by more than two lengths over Mucho Unusual, who was making her career debut.

The best horse won that day, but a lot can change in two months. Trainer Tim Yakteen envisions a different scenario Friday for Mucho Unusual, who followed her promising debut with a smashing maiden victory by more than eight lengths.

Mucho Unusual will enter the Golden State with two races under her belt, the field’s top Beyer Figure, and a favorable outside post.

“The last time we were on the inside and could not relax,” Yakteen said of Mucho Unusual’s first race against Creative Instinct. “This time we’re on the outside and we’ll be able to have a more comfortable trip.

“I don’t think our hand is going to be played for us. We can play our hand the way it unfolds.”

If the race unfolds as expected, and if she reproduces her second-start maiden romp, Mucho Unusual can press the pace while racing in the clear and kick away.

Friday’s date and location of the Golden State Juvenile Fillies offer a fitting scenario for Mucho Unusual. She was sired by Mucho Macho Man, whose Breeders’ Cup Classic victory occurred exactly five years ago (Nov. 2, 2013) at Santa Anita. His first crop are this year’s 2-year-olds.

Nine were entered in the Golden State, including stakes winners Start the Show and Naughty Tiger, along with Give Me a Hint and outsiders Dichotomy, Hotitude, Apache Princess, and Time for Suzie.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mucho Unusual, by Mucho Macho Man Beyers: 74-59

◗ Geovanni Franco picks up the mount from Flavien Prat, who rides Friday at Churchill Downs.

◗ Mucho Macho Man stands in Kentucky. Mucho Unusual was foaled in California and her dam was bred back to California stallion Mr. Big. That is how Mucho Unusual is a Californiabred.

Creative Instinct, by Creative Cause Beyers: 64-59

◗ Creative Instinct is making her first start since winning the Generous Portion on Aug. 29.

◗ Heriberto Figueroa replaces rider Tyler Baze, who rides Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Start the Show, by Oxbow Last 3 Beyers: 73-53-66

◗ The 2-for-3 filly won a stakes race at Delaware Park in September. She makes her first start in California Friday for new trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Rafael Bejarano.

Give Me a Hint, by Merit Man Beyers: 74-61

◗ The 2-for-2 filly is buried on the rail.