Making his second start following a 16 ½ month layoff, A Red Tie Day was an impressive gate to wire winner of Friday’s $60,000 Santa Anita allowance feature, as he prevailed by a half length under Mario Gutierrez while negotiating a mile and a quarter on turf in 2:01.98. Trained by Richard Baltas and owned by Bloom Racing Stable, LLC, the 6-year-old horse had been idle since Aug. 28, 2014 prior to running eighth in a mile and one eighth turf allowance here on Feb. 7.
“I told Mario to go to the lead, but if they want it really bad, then let them have it,” said Baltas. “Speed is holding and it seems like his best races have come when he’s been up close.
“Jeff (Bloom, owner) turned him out late in the summer of 2014. He had a little injury and then they rehabbed him and was off about a year and a half. He’s been with me for about four or five months now.”
Off at 13-1 in a field of eight older horses, A Red Tie Day paid $28.40, $15.60 and $8.20.
A Kentucky-bred by Indygo Shiner, A Red Tie Day collected his third win from 12 starts and with the winner’s share of $36,000, he increased his earnings to $149,265.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, longshot Street Fashion saved ground at the rail while sitting a close fourth into the far turn, angled off the fence turning for home and made the winner run late as he finished a half length in front of favored China Girl Lover for the place. Off at 29-1, Street Fashion paid $25.40 and $12.60.
Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, China Girl Lover was last turning for home and was gaining on the top two at the wire. Off at 9-5, he paid $2.60 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.75, 48.85, 1:13.56 and 1:37.71.
There is a Pick Six carryover of $40,304 into Friday at Santa Anita. With first post time at 1 p.m., the Pick Six will begin with race three. It is expected Friday’s total Pick Six pool should approach $250,000.
