Horologist (R) with Angel Suarez riding upset Jaywalk (L) and Joe Bravo to win the $150,000 Monmouth Oaks at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ on Saturday August 17, 2019. Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Richard Baltas hopes the fifth time’s the charm when he runs Horologist in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes for fillies and mares, three and up, at 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita Park.
A rarity in that she is a New Jersey-bred racing in California, the four-year-old daughter by the Tiznow sire Gemologist lost all chance last out in the Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park April 18 when she was blocked through most of the stretch run.
At 28-1 she still was beaten only five lengths, finishing sixth behind Ce Ce, who won by a dramatic head over Ollie’s Candy.
“She had a really nightmarish trip,” Baltas said. “She got completely shut off, but ran well. She’s a nice filly and seems to be coming to hand.”
Horologist was a distant ninth in the Grade II Raven Run at Keeneland last Oct. 19 in her first start for Baltas, improved to fifth when wide as the 3-2 favorite in the Grade II La Canada at Santa Anita Jan. 11 and missed by a nose going three wide in the restricted Nellie Morse at Laurel on March 14 before her Apple Blossom debacle.
“The first time I ran her, I didn’t have her figured out,” Baltas said. “I think we’ve got her figured out now, and she’s going to be a very nice filly.”
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