From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2018) — Bill Morey, sizzling at Santa Anita winning at a 55 percent clip thanks to six victories from 11 starts, hopes to continue his hot streak when he sends out Rye in next Saturday’s $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank.
The Unusual Heat is one of four stakes that day restricted to California-bred or sired horses, with total purses of $600,000 supported by an overnight card of allowance, maiden and claiming races with purses supercharged by the Cal-bred race fund.
Rye, a five-year-old full horse sired by English Channel out of the Unusual Heat dam Phi Beta Heat, has two wins from four starts at the mile and an eighth distance of the Turf Classic.
“He’s training great,” Morey said of the chestnut, who has won seven of 15 career starts. “He likes the mile and an eighth on the turf, and how often do you get a chance to run a Cal-bred for $200,000? You’ve got to take your best shot at it, right? A race like this only comes along once a year. It’s nice to run a Cal-bred for a number like $200,000.”
Rye, who will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux, worked five furlongs Sunday in 1:01.40.
Supporting the Unusual Heat Turf Classic will be the $150,000 guaranteed Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint for fillies and mares, four and up at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside course; the $150,000 guaranteed Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint for four-year-olds and up at six furlongs; and the $100,000 guaranteed California Cup Turf Sprint Stakes for three-year-olds at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside course.
The Cal-bred card also includes a $70,000 first-condition allowance for four-year-olds and up at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf; a $65,000 maiden special weight race for three-year-olds at a mile on turf; a $65,000 maiden special weight race for three-year-old fillies at 5 ½ furlongs; a $35,000 purse maiden claimer ($50,000 claiming price) for three-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs; and a $30,000 purse claimer ($16,000 claiming price) for four-year-olds and up.
First post time next Saturday is 11:45 a.m. Admission gates open at 10 a.m.