Sigfreto Turning Heads on Turf, May Be a Key Player in Pick Six

The third race at Santa Anita today isn’t much of a contest, bringing together nine 3-year-old fillies of limited ability to run a mile.

But a lot of eyes will be focused on the $25,000 claimer. It is the first leg of a pick six with a two-day carry-over of $751,394.

The third is the only dirt route in the sequence.

The other pair of two-turn races in the pick six are on the grass and the first of those turf events features a gelding who will be a single on a lot of tickets.

Sigfreto is owned by Steve and Dave Kenley’s STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood -- the same people who race Hollywood Gold Cup and Sunshine Millions Classic winner Lava Man.

Trained by Doug O’Neill, Sigfreto holds a class edge in the fourth, a $35,000 starter allowance at 1 1/4 miles. The 8-year-old son of Spunky Rascal, back a week after chasing Fantastic Spain home at 1 1/4 miles, won at this same distance Jan. 7. Garrett Gomez will be aboard.

The other turf race is the seventh, the $75,000 Thunder Road Handicap at one mile.

Race of the day: Harlington, who has won three of four starts, will make his first appearance in Florida in over a year when he takes on nine opponents in the ninth race today at Gulfstream Park. John Velazquez will ride the 4-year-old son of Unbridled out of the multiple-stakes-winning Serena’s Song in the $37,000 optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles that is part of a pick six with a carry-over of more than $61,000.

One for the road: Miss Red Superstar drops in class and catches a field without much talent as she tries for her second lifetime victory in today’s eighth at Golden Gate Fields, which is beginning its 65-day meet. Apprentice Martin Garcia will ride the 4-year-old Falstaff filly for owner Michael Strohmaier and trainer John Martin in the $4,000 claimer at six furlongs. Garcia and Russell Baze tied for the riding title at Bay Meadows, which ended Sunday, but Garcia won at a higher percentage and managed as many wins despite missing eight days due to suspension.

Exotically speaking: An exacta box in the seventh using Terroplane, Senor Swinger and Toasted.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/88. Money: (previous day/meet total): $12.20/$560.40. Total money bet: $530.