Meah ready for breakout win

DEL MAR, Calif. – Anna Meah isn’t new to the game. New to training on her own, yes. But not new to the game. So she’s well versed with the ups and downs of racing, but her quest for an elusive first win has been particularly trying, for all her runners have fired so far, and one even crossed the wire first, but she’s still awaiting her first trip to the winner’s circle.

That might happen Thursday at Del Mar, when Meah sends out recent claim New Karma in race 7. It will be only her sixth starter, but of her first five, two have finished second, one was third, and another finished first but lost the race minutes later via a stewards disqualification.

“It was really tough, but it’ll be all right. That one really hurt,” Meah said, referring to Excellent Sunset being taken down after finishing first in the Kathryn Crosby Stakes on opening day last Friday. “But I’m very, very happy with how things have gone. The horses are in the right spots.”

Meah currently has eight runners, and more are on the way this month, “two from England, and one from Kentucky,” she said. A native of Washington state, Meah worked as an exercise rider and assistant to Art Sherman for 4 1/2 years – including getting on California Chrome – and then for one year with Richard Baltas before she struck out on her own along with her husband, David, an exercise rider who also is a bloodstock agent.

New Karma was acquired via the claim box on Oct. 20, when a partnership that includes David took him for $16,000.

New Karma is in for $20,000 on Thursday, one of two horses in the eight-horse optional-claiming field who are in for a tag. The other six are using their first-level allowance condition.

“I think he’ll run big,” Anna Meah said. “He’s changed a lot since he got here. He’s eating a lot better. Hopefully, we’ll get that first win, finally.”

New Karma landed the outside post in the one-mile race for California-breds.

KEY CONTENDERS

New Karma, by Decarchy Last 3 Beyers: 81-72-74

◗ A tough 6-year-old gelding, he has seven wins and has finished in the money 25 times in 40 starts.

“He’s such a cool horse,” Meah said. “These older horses, they’re push-button. They know what their job is.”

Ninety Nine Proof, by Idiot Proof Last 3 Beyers: 86-87-82

◗ The only other runner eligible to be claimed, he is stretching out for the first time since May but is sharp right now, owning a win and a second in two sprint starts since being claimed by Peter Miller.

◗ With his speed and inside draw, he’s absolutely the one to catch and to beat.

California Journey, by Good Journey Last 3 Beyers: 82-69-62

◗ A wide trip early from an outside box and a hot pace left him empty late last time.