CLOSING REMARKS (March 4) Hard luck mare for Carla Gaines once again encountered trouble, this time in the Grade 2 Buena Vista at a mile on the turf. Off at 6/1 in a field of 7 that did not have much speed, she broke OK under Bravo and was taken back off the pace and was 6th into the clubhouse turn. Sensing the soft pace, Bravo rushed her up on the rail at the half mile pole to reach contention, then had to check badly at the 3/8 pole when the favorite went wrong and was taken out of the race by Prat. She was now back to last, went 7 wide into the stretch, and still closed well to get third beaten two at the wire. Without the trouble at the 3/8, she may have won this race or at least been in a blanket finish. She is a Cal bred so Carla may find an easier stakes for her in the near future. Follow.

TARANTINO (March 4) Five year old full horse for Ed Moger tried the second allowance condition on Saturday at 9 furlongs on the turf. Off at 24/1 in a field of 8, he sat third down the back side just two back of the leaders. He looked out of gas at the top of the lane, but he never stopped trying and outran his odds to get second in a “salty” field beaten just two at the wire. This one has had bad feet his entire career and has never run well on the dirt or the synthetic, but when he’s on the grass, he’s a different race horse. In fact he is Grade 3 stakes placed and both of his wins have been on the turf. He is good enough to knock out this condition on the grass and may even be able to win some type of a restricted stakes. Put him in your stable watch as he could surface up at GGF in his next start. Worth following.

AUSTONIAN (March 5) Three year old colt for Brian Koriner made his debut on Sunday in a maiden special weight for Cal bred sophomores at ¾ on the main. Bet heavy right from the get go, he went off as the 3/5 choice in a field of six. He broke outward and a step slow from the outside slot and was 4th early but just 3 lengths off the pace. He moved at the leaders at the 3/8 pole, got even at the top of the lane, but then was outfinished by another firster beaten one and a half at the wire. This one has some talent as evidenced by the strong wagering, and he will be tough to hold in start #2. There won’t be much of a price but he can be used as a “single” in many exotic forms.

CLIQUISH (March 5) Three year old filly for Phil D’Amato made start #2 on Sunday in an optional claimer/maiden race at ¾ on the main for three year olds. Off as the 6/5 choice in a field of 7, the ground appeared to break from under her at the start and she was away last. Seven lengths back of the leader by the half mile pole, she quickly made up ground with a huge move at the 3/8 pole, got the lead at the top of the lane, and cruised on home under a hand ride to win by 10. It was a stylish win for this daughter of Bernardini and she appears to have a bright future. Up the ladder.

by Rod Young (Turfdom)