Microrithms shows off speed in near-track-record win

CYPRESS, Calif. – The promising sprinter Microrithms is not the most durable runner in trainer Bob Baffert’s stable, but he showed his brilliant speed at Los Alamitos on Thursday.

Microrithms won an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at six furlongs in 1:07.82 on a sloppy track, just missing the 2016 track record of 1:07.79 set by Toews On Ice.

The optional claimer was the second win in four starts for Microrithms, who races for David Israel, Michael and Nadia Sigband, and David Shaw.

The race on Thursday was the second start after a layoff of nearly 16 months for Microrithms. Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Microrithms ($3.20) disputed the pace throughout and won by a half-length over 15-1 I Am the Danger.

Microrithms earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92, comparable to the 94 recorded when he finished second in an optional claimer at Santa Anita in his comeback on Nov. 3.

“Hopefully, the little issues are behind him and we’ll have fun with him,” Baffert said.

Microrithms, a 4-year-old by Algorithms, is eligible for a second-condition allowance race. If Baffert takes a more aggressive approach, the next graded stakes for older sprinters in Southern California is the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 19, a $200,000 race at six furlongs that may attract Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Roy H.

Vasilika eyes Megahertz

Vasilika, whose eight-race winning streak ended with a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar on Dec. 1, could have her first start of 2019 in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 21.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Friday that the $100,000 Megahertz at a mile on turf for fillies and mares is appealing because of the distance.

“We might look at that,” he said.

Vasilika was beaten two lengths by Uni in the $302,760 Matriarch Stakes at a mile on turf as the 2-1 favorite. Vasilika closed from sixth to get within a half-length of the lead in the stretch, but could not sustain the effort.

A 4-year-old filly by Skipshot, Vasilika was claimed for $40,000 last February. The win streak included three graded stakes, among them the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita in September.

Axelrod points to Malibu

Axelrod, a two-time Grade 3 winner in the summer who was ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3, is on schedule for a start in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

“He’s training forwardly,” trainer Michael McCarthy said earlier this week. “He came out of his Breeders’ Cup in good shape.”

Axelrod was beaten eight lengths by winner Accelerate in the BC Classic at 1 1/4 miles, racing as close as fourth on the final turn.

The $300,000 Malibu Stakes is one of five stakes on the opening-day program of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.

The Malibu is likely to have a solid field, including Kanthaka, the winner of two seven-furlong graded stakes for 3-year-old sprinters earlier this year, as well as Air Strike, Cool Bobby, Greyvitos, Nero, Pitino, and Yulong Warrior.

Air Strike was second as the 5-2 favorite in the $250,000 Zia Park Derby on Nov. 21 in his stakes debut. He is owned by a partnership that includes Slam Dunk Racing, which co-owns Axelrod. Air Strike is trained by Phil D’Amato.

“He’s a very progressive horse,” D’Amato said. “You get one [last] shot at a straight 3-year-olds race. I think seven furlongs with a pace to run at, he might love it.”

Neck surgery for Stevens

Retired Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens said last week that he is scheduled to undergo surgery on Dec. 27 to have three vertebrae fused in his neck.

“I’m anxiously awaiting that,” he said. “I’m comfortable right now.

“They expect me to be out on the 28th and the neck brace will come off at two weeks and I can start my therapy and getting back to normal.”

Stevens, 55, announced his retirement on Nov. 20, after he suffered a spinal injury in a post parade accident at Del Mar on Nov. 17. Stevens said he suffered numbness in his hands and discomfort in his neck and was told by an orthopedic surgeon that a fall could lead to a more serious injury.

Stevens said after his recovery he will be able to participate in some sports.

“My first question to the doctor was, ‘Will I play golf? and he said, ‘Yes,’ ” Stevens said.

“He said no contact sports. You’ll never sit on a horse again. I’m comfortable with that.”