Returning to grass footing and dropping in class, Jerry and Ann
Moss’s Blingo likely will be a prohibitive favorite among five
3-year-olds in Friday’s $75,000 La Puente Stakes at 1 1/8 miles over
Santa Anita’s Camino Real Turf Course.
The gelded son of Artie Schiller won his racing debut by 2 ¼
lengths while going one mile on turf at Hollywood Park last November
before finishing sixth in a pair of non-turf stakes, the Grade I
CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita’s Grade II San
Felipe Stakes on March 10.
Hall of Famer Mike Smith, who has been aboard in all three of
Blingo’s starts for trainer John Shirreffs, will once again be in the
saddle when the $80,000 yearling purchase attempts to boost his earnings
of $57,000.
His opposition includes Tiz Point, Diamond A Racing’s homebred
son of Tiznow, who pressed the early pace in the San Felipe before
fading to eighth in the field of 10. Rafael Bejarano rides the bay colt
trained by Richard Mandella. Tiz Point has earned $72,440 from a 2- 1- 1
record in seven starts.
The complete field for the La Puente Stakes, with jockeys and
weights in post position order: Buffalo Billy, David Flores, 116;
Blingo, Mike Smith, 118; Tiz Point, Rafael Bejarano, 120; Captain
Obvious, Mario Gutierrez, 116, and Vibrato Jazz, Joel Rosario, 118.