Mucho Unusual begins season with Cal Cup Oaks as a target

ARCADIA, Calif. – Mucho Unusual had a successful 2-year-old season, winning a maiden special weight race and finishing second in two stakes for California-breds.

Expectations are high for Mucho Unusual’s 3-year-old campaign this year, a season that begins Thursday at Santa Anita with an allowance race that has an $80,000 claiming option for California-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Trainer Tim Yakteen warned last weekend that Mucho Unusual will benefit from Thursday’s 6 1/2-furlong race, having missed training time last fall following a second in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies here Nov. 2.

“We lost a bit of time when she bruised a foot,” Yakteen said. “Hopefully, this will leg her up.”

Yakteen envisions the optional claimer as a prep for the $200,000 California Cup Oaks at a mile on turf Feb. 18. Mucho Unusual is part of a field of five on Thursday.

First post for the eight-race program is 1 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mucho Unusual, by Mucho Macho Man Last 3 Beyers: 64-74-59

◗ Owned by breeder George Krikorian, Mucho Unusual was second in the Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred fillies on Aug. 29 at Del Mar in her debut and won a maiden special weight race at 1-5 by 8 1/4 lengths here Oct. 4.

◗ In the Golden State Juvenile Fillies, Mucho Unusual was the 6-5 favorite. She fought for the lead and faded to finish 2 1/4 lengths behind winner Give Me a Hint.

◗ Mucho Unusual resumed steady workouts in late December.

“It took a long time to get the bruise out,” Yakteen said. “She’s not 100 percent. Hopefully, she’s gifted enough to overcome that.”

◗ Joel Rosario will ride Mucho Unusual for the first time. The filly is likely to be near the lead in a race shorter than Yakteen would have liked. The key will be to reserve some of Mucho Unusual’s speed in her first start in more than two months.

“I would have preferred a mile,” he said. “The main thing is we’ll get a race in her.”

Hotitude, by Heat Shield Last 3 Beyers: 65-63-63

◗ Hotitude was third in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies after leading by a length in the stretch. She finished second, by four lengths, in the Soviet Problem Stakes at a mile on Dec. 15 at Los Alamitos for co-owner and trainer Kristin Mulhall.

◗ Hotitude is quick and has drawn the rail Thursday, which is likely to force jockey Martin Pedroza to take a forward position.

Tiz a Master, by Ministers Wild Cat Last 3 Beyers: 60-50-35

◗ The optional claimer will be a class test for Tiz a Master, who has won her last two starts – a maiden race for $30,000 claimers at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 7 at Los Alamitos and a starter allowance at six furlongs here Dec. 31.

◗ Trained by William Morey, Tiz a Master stalked the pace in both starts and won by at least a length under apprentice jockey Heriberto Figueroa, who has the mount Thursday.