LOS ALAMITOS Coil Me Home back on dirt

CYPRESS, Calif. – Coil Me Home lost any chance for a win at Del Mar last month when he bobbled at the start of a fivefurlong turf race.

“He totally missed the break,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “He was running at the end.”

Baltas hoped to run Coil Me Home on dirt at Del Mar in November, but said the race did not draw sufficient entries. Sunday, Coil Me Home is back on dirt in an allowance race with a $20,000 claiming option for California-breds at six furlongs at Los Alamitos.

Coil Me Home is part of a field of eight in the eighth race on a nine-race program that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Coil Me Home, by Coil Last 3 Beyers: 75-84-82

◗ Owned by GGG Stables, Coil Me Home won a maiden race for California-breds by a nose at six furlongs in his third career start last March, but did not race again until November.

“He had a little injury, and we had to stop on him,” Baltas said.

◗ In the Del Mar turf race, Coil Me Home closed from last in a field of eight, 10 lengths off the lead, to finish seventh, three lengths behind race winner Quick Finish. Last winter, Coil Me Home often raced as a stalker.

◗ Baltas said there have been thoughts about gelding the 3-year-old Coil Me Home and that a decision will be made after his next few starts.

“He’s a big, strong Cal-bred,” Baltas said. “We’ll give him another shot and see.”

Clyde’s Pride, by Good Journey Last 3 Beyers: 86-73-72

◗ Clyde’s Pride returned from a layoff of more than four months to win a maiden special weight race for California-breds at 5 1/2 furlongs by 7 1/2 lengths on Nov. 9 at Del Mar. Clyde’s Pride led throughout under jockey Geovanni Franco, who has the mount Sunday.

“He ran really fast,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “We’ve always liked him.”

◗ Clyde’s Pride joined Hollendorfer’s stable earlier this year, having previously been trained by Matt Chew.

Buck Duane, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 81-57-69

◗ Buck Duane started in the same optional claimer on turf as Coil Me Home and finished fourth after a troubled trip. Buck Duane had a slow start and raced in traffic on the turn before recovering to finish a length behind Quick Finish.

◗ Trained by Steve Knapp, Buck Duane, who has shown speed in the past, won a $50,000 claiming race for California-bred maidens here in September, his most recent start at this track.

Billy the Hott, by Papa Clem Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-59

◗ Billy the Hott is a maiden against Thoroughbreds, but has won two 870-yard races against Quarter Horses at the Los Alamitos evening meeting – a maiden race Oct. 25 and an allowance race Nov. 24.

◗ Trained by Marty Jones, Billy the Hott led throughout those races. He was beaten a neck when second in a $20,000 claimer for maidens at five furlongs here in September, his last start against Thoroughbreds.