IMPROVING RED ROAD TAKES $69,000 SANTA ANITA ALLOWANCE FEATURE BY A NECK AS GONZALEZ & MULHALL TEAM FOR 1 1/8 MILE TURF WIN IN 1:47.97
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 6, 2022)–In his second Southern California start, the Kristin Mulhall-trained Red Road kept to his task and held off favored Handy Dandy in the final strides to take Friday’s $69,000 Santa Anita allowance feature by a neck while getting a mile and one eighth on turf under Ricky Gonzalez in 1:47.97.
Attentive to the pace from his rail post position, Red Road, a chestnut colt by Cross Traffic out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Orchid Lane, saved ground while a close fourth about two lengths off Echosmith and Beef Winslow mid-way around the far turn showed a good deal of tenacity in overhauling Handy Dandy a furlong out and narrowly held sway on the money.
“He ran huge today and he’s been training great,” said Mulhall, who took over training the horse following a one mile maiden turf win at Gulfstream Park two starts back on Dec. 5. “In his last race (a seventh place finish in the one mile turf Pasadena Stakes Feb. 19) he ducked out really bad leaving the gate and he gave himself no chance. He came out of the race with a weird infection. We got that cleared up and he’s been great.”
Off at 15-1 in a field of nine sophomores, Red Road paid $33.40, $8.60 and $5.80.
Owned by Steve Taub, Red Road now has two wins from five starts and with the winner’s share of $41,400, increased his earnings to $78,650.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Handy Dandy was attentive to the pace throughout and just missed in a solid effort. Off at 4-5, he paid $2.80 and $2.40 while finishing a half length in front of Stotland.
Off at 22-1 with Edwin Maldonado up, Stotland, who was up by a nose over St Anthony for third money, paid $6.60 to show.
Fractions on the race were 21.90, 46.46, 1:11.22 and 1:35.44.
Admission gates will open at 7:15 a.m. tomorrow to accommodate simulcast wagering on the Kentucky Derby undercard from Churchill Downs. Post time for the 148th running of the Derby is at 3:57 PT.
First live race post time for a 10-race card tomorrow at Santa Anita is at 12:30 p.m.
Three jockeys, Abel Cedillo, Ryan Curatolo and Joe Bravo each had riding doubles while owner Red Baron’s Barn won three out of the first four races on Friday
