ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2016)—In what could be the best betting race of the day, Brazilian-bred Ohio, Toowindytoohaulrox, So Sweetitiz and Holy Lute all figure prominently among a field of 11 three year olds and up in the second division of the Grade III, $100,000 Eddie D. Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course on Friday.
Carded as the final race on a nine-race program, the Eddie D. “Take 2” attracted 13 entrants, with two horses relegated to the Also Eligible list.
OHIO: Trained by Paulo Lobo, this 5-year-old Brazilian-bred tries a new game as he shortens up off of three consecutive turf routes, the most recent a solid third place finish in the Grade II Del Mar Mile Handicap on Aug. 21. A winner of two of five stateside starts, will try to exploit what could be a lively pace from mid-pack under regular rider Brice Blanc. Owned by Bonne Chance Farm, LLC or Stud R D I, LLC, Ohio is 12-6-2-1 overall.
TOOWINDYTOOHAULROX: Trained by high percentage Phil D’Amato, this 5-year-old son of Harlan’s Holiday took the Grade III Daytona Stakes over the course four starts back and is two for seven lifetime down the hill. A close seventh while encountering trouble in the 6 ½ furlong turf Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint on Sept. 3, he returns to his home ground for owner Queen Bee Racing, LLC. Although versatile, he would appear best suited rallying from well off the pace.
SO SWEETITIZ: A Kentucky-bred 4-year-old filly by Grand Slam, she’ll be seeking her fourth consecutive win for owner/breeder Pamela Ziebarth as she tackles males for the first time in her ninth career start. An impressive winner of the five furlong turf Daisycutter Handicap Aug. 5, she has two wins and a second from three hillside tries. Quick from the gate, she’s conditioned by Marty Jones and will be ridden back by Flavien Prat. Based at Los Alamitos, she’s had three bullet works since her last start and will try to improve upon an overall mark of 8-4-2-0.
HOLY LUTE: Fresh off a gutty five furlong turf allowance score Aug. 31 at Del Mar, this 6-year-old horse by Midnight Lute appears a solid fit in the Eddie D. Trained by Jim Cassidy and owned by Class Racing Stable, Holy Lute has a win and three seconds from eight tries down the hill and will be ridden back by veteran jockey Jamie Theriot. Well seasoned, Holy Lute is 26-5-6-3 overall and seems to relish a head and head duel.
THE GRADE III EDDIE D. STAKES (2ND DIVISION) IN POST POSITION ORDER WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
Race 9 (of 9) Approximate post time 5 p.m. PST
1. McHeat—Tyler Baze—121 2. Kaabraaj—Eswan Flores—121 3. Holy Lute—Jamie Theriot—121 4. Bottle Rocket—Stewart Elliott—121 5. Toowindytohaulrox—Tiago Pereira—123 6. Ohio—Brice Blanc—121 7. Secreto Primero—Norberto Arroyo, Jr.—121 8. Guns Loaded—Rafael Bejarano—125 9. Eric the Trojan—Victor Espinoza—118 10. So Sweetitiz—Flavien Prat—118 11. Boozer—Gary Stevens—121
Also Eligibles
12. Anytime Anyplace—Irad Ortiz, Jr.—121 13. Jimmy Bouncer—Mario Gutierrez—121
First post time on opening day, Friday, is at 1 p.m. Admission gates open at 11 a.m. For scratches, late changes and complete morning line information, please visit santaanita.com.