January 16, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Three is Key
On Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern, the Philadelphia Eagles will rely on their three-headed monster of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and A.J. Brown to take down the surging Los Angeles Rams.
On Sunday at 3 p.m. Pacific, another Ghidora-style battle will take place between Musical Mischief, Alpha Bella, and Chatalas in the $100,000 La Canada (G3) at Santa Anita.
Each member of the graded stakes-winning trio rides into the 1 1/16-mile dirt contest with equally high expectations.
Musical Mischief, sporting a 4-2-1 line through 13 career starts, finished fourth in last year’s edition of the La Canada. The 5-year-old mare found graded glory in September’s Locust Grove (G2).
Alpha Bella, with her 3-6-2 record across 18 starts, last found the winner’s circle on Jan. 27, 2024 in the La Prevoyante (G3).
Chatalas, the youngest of the bunch, struck graded gold in July’s Indiana Oaks (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis (10: 3-1-2).
Thing of the Past
A tip of the cap to Toupie, who’s ready to give the graded ranks a second shot after a successful stretch at the stakes level.
The 3-year-old filly is one of eight hopefuls entered in this Sunday’s $100,000 Las Cienegas (G3T) at Santa Anita.
After being outmatched in the 2023 version of the Jessamine (G2T) – just her third career start – Toupie roared back to claim three Black Type stakes in the seven starts that followed.
The most recent of the Flavien Prat mount’s successes came on Sept. 28 in the Unzip Me, also at Santa Anita, where she led gate-to-wire for the 1 ½-length score.
Path to Primetime
Although Hit Show’s remarkable streak of three straight graded stakes victories came to an end in November’s Clark (G2), the dynamic performer remains must-see tv.
Rested and raring to go following a seven-week break, the 5-year-old waltzes into Fair Grounds as the $175,000 Louisiana’s (G3) early 5-2 favorite.
Living in a world of ‘what have you done for me lately,’ Hit Show’s most recent outing should be considered nothing more than a blip on an otherwise stellar resume.
The four-time graded stakes winner has won nearly half of his 15 lifetime starts (7-1-0) en route to banking more than $1.3 million.
Look for the Brad Cox charge to experience a boost in the ratings on Saturday afternoon.
Knock on Wood
Disco Time has an opportunity to turn Fair Grounds into Studio 54 with a groovy gallop across the finish line in Saturday’s $250,000 Lecomte (G3).
While the sample size is small–just two total starts–the 3-year-old colt has still turned his fair share of heads.
After setting the tone with 3 ¾-length conquest in his professional debut on Nov. 1, Disco Time hustled his way to a 3 ½-length clearance next time out on Nov. 30.
The Florent Geroux mount’s path to the winner’s circle will no doubt be more challenging in a deep 14-horse Lecomte that includes Gun Runner Stakes champion, and 3-1 choice Built, but Disco Time has shown enough to warrant ‘legitimate contender’ status at 9-2 on the opening line.
New Faces, Same Goal
With only one start to her name, there’s not much for Ramify to rectify ahead of her stakes debut in Saturday’s $125,000 Busanda at Aqueduct.
The 3-year-old filly will, however, be partnered with a new jockey for the 1 1/8-mile affair.
Jose Lezcano is set to take the reins from expected Eclipse Award-winning rider Flavien Prat, who piloted Ramify to a half-length triumph in her maiden voyage on Dec. 8 at the Queens, NY-based track.
A standout competitor in his own right, Lezcano has won nearly 3,400 races, including three Breeders’ Cup tilts, over his 20-plus year career.
The Chiriquí, Panama native’s expertise will no doubt be an invaluable asset for Ramify, who enters as the slight 5-2 favorite.