Lusty Latin Seeks Fresh Start

After Lusty Latin finished third in the 2002 Santa Anita Derby, one of the worst renewals ever of the race, owners Joey and Wendy Platts reportedly turned down a hefty sum -- rumored to be about $1 million -- to sell the gray son of El Prado.

Lusty Latin’s connections opted to keep the colt and ran him in the Kentucky Derby four weeks later. Like Came Home and Easy Grades, the 1-3 finishers in the awful local Derby, he was an also-ran, finishing 15th of 18.

Sidelined because of an injury after the debacle at Churchill Downs, Lusty Latin hasn’t fared any better since returning to the races in February. He hasn’t finished better than fourth in six starts, but his former connections did find a buyer earlier this month.

Actually, Lusty Latin was claimed. The active owner-trainer combo of Michael Gill and Nick Canani took the California-bred for $80,000 on a day when the 4-year-old finished sixth of seven.

Looking for his first victory in 23 months, Lusty Latin is scheduled to make his first start for Gill and Canani in today’s seventh at Hollywood Park, a $48,000 optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on the turf.

In three races on the grass, Lusty Latin has finished ninth, fifth and eighth. Iggy Puglisi has the call against a field that includes his entrymate Superiority, the Bobby Frankel-trained pair of Harrisand and Royal Gem, Mountain Rage and Hatif.

Race of the day: Stephan’s Angel, an unbeaten 2-year-old Crypto Star filly, leads a field of six in the $60,000 Mom’s Command at Aqueduct. In her first two starts at Laurel, Stephan’s Angel won by a combined 17 1/2 lengths.

One for the road: Saint Liam makes his first start for high-percentage trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. in today’s seventh at Aqueduct, a $46,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles, so expect big improvement from the son of Saint Ballado. Mike Luzzi will ride.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using the Morna’s Girl-Bella Nunzi entry, Harderthanpride, Tenderly and Justly Royal in the fourth, Zoolu Nights in the fifth and Hezajewel and Kimon in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/66. Money: Previous day/meet total: $12.40/$329.20. Total money bet: $376.