OLD PAL (February 18) Three year old colt for Mark Glatt made his debut on Saturday in the opener, a six and a half furlong dash on the green from out of the chute. Off as the 3/5 choice in a field of 8, he broke slowly under J.J. and was dead last for most of the race, trailing by as many as 9 down the back side. Still last at the top of the lane, the jock swung him to the outside going six wide, and he finished with good run in the middle of the course to get second, beaten three at the wire. I don’t think Old Pal has much speed to begin with, but with a better break, he’s a soon winner, and two turns will be no problem, as he galloped out strongly. Tab and follow.

LUMINIFEROUS (February 18) Three year old filly for George Papaprodromou made start #3 on Saturday in quest of her maiden win and for the first time was dropped in for a claiming price. Off at 8/1 in this 8 horse field at a mile on the turf for a $62,500 tag, she sat fifth into the clubhouse turn under Kimura, but was just four lengths back of the leaders. She made her move at the ¼ pole, went four wide turning into the stretch, and finished with good courage out in the middle of the course to nail down second. The winner was off at even money and went wire to wire. This was her first start with Lasix and the drop to the claiming ranks let her outrun her odds. She’s a soon winner if “Papa” keeps her in for a tag.

GOOD AS GONE (February 19) Three year old filly for Steve Knapp tried the first allowance condition on Sunday at ¾ on the main for soph fillies. Off at 4/1 in just a five horse field after two late scratches, she broke running from the outside under Ricky Gonzales and laid third down the back side. She started to move up at the ¼ pole, swung four wide into the lane, got the lead inside the 1/16 pole, but was outgamed late by a Baffert runner and lost by a neck. Yes, she did have an ideal trip, but she just broke her maiden by six in her previous start and this one has enough talent to knock out this condition. The Knapp barn is doing just about everything right this meet and she looks like a soon winner.

ISABEL LUDLOW (February 19) Three year old filly for Steve Miyadi made her debut in Sunday’s finale, a maiden special weight event at six and a half on the turf coming out of the chute for Cal breds. Off at 5/1 in a field of 11, she was void of any early speed and was well back down the back side, about 9 lengths behind the leaders. Johnny V. kept her on the fence and she encountered heavy traffic at the 1/8 pole with nowhere to run. He finally got out and swung her to the outside late, but the damage was done. She rallied for second but lost to the good tripper experienced favorite beaten one and a half at the wire. It was a strong debut all things considered and this one is bred to go long as well. She’s a soon winner for the high percentage Miyadi barn.

SONORAN (February 20) After running into two “buzz saws” in his first two races, this 3 year old colt for Baffert found no such competition on Monday and romped home by 7 after setting fast splits of 21.55 and 44.41 for the half. He was dogged all the way down the back side, put the other speed away at the top of the lane, and was the easiest of winners. He is bred to get two turns and looks like a future stakes winner for this “Ride on Curlin” colt owned by Baffert’s wife Jill. Up the ladder.

By Rod Young (Turfdom)