Strange Things Happening at Santa Anita
Monday, October 10, 2016

    For those who are old enough to remember, the great old comic Red Buttons regularly appeared on various TV variety shows, often employing the same old schtick. He would cover one ear with his hand and utter in feigned amazement: "Strange things are happening."

    Red would have been right at home today, before, during and after the running of the third race at Santa Anita. A few minutes before the start of the $50,000 down to $40,000 claiming race at six furlongs, the TVG commentators were stunned as they watched the No. 9 horse, Mt Lienster, sitting on the board at odds of 3-1. The 2-year-old by Field Commission had finished seventh in his lone start at Del Mar on Sept. 2, beaten 11 1/2 lengths with Tyler Baze aboard, at odds of 24-1. The gelding bred by Johanne Everard at Another Episode Farm in Ocala never made a semblance of a move at any time in the race, although he did show a little kick, if that's the right word, by finishing just one length out of fourth, but still 10 lengths from the winner.

    The TVGers tried to find anything that would cause Mt Lienster to be bet the way he was - his morning line odds were 20-1. They couldn't find a thing, and when the gate opened, he was down to co-favoritism at 5/2. Kurt Hoover, a pretty astute analyst, watched the betting and said a ton of money had showed up on Mt Lienster in the win pool.

    Baze rushed the gelding out of the gate first, then took back to mid-pack, but not too far off the pace. Mt Lienster came five wide on the turn, passed everybody but the other co-favorite early, then ran down his final rival to win going away by 1 1/4 lengths. He paid $7.40, $4.60 and $3.80, the place and show prices being somewhat inflated because he was hammered so hard on the win end only. Owners David Buchanan and Kendall Mann collected the winner's share - $12,945 - and who knows how much at the windows. You can bet the TVG people will go looking to trainer Gary Stute for an answer.

    One reason for the score certainly isn't that Field Commission, who stands at Solera Farm in Williston for longtime breeder Ed Seltzer, is on a hot streak. He has just 36 foals of racing age, with 32 of them 2-year-olds, and Mt Lienster became just his fourth winner. In fact, the entire group had earned $94,906 before today.

    Strange things are happening, and we can hope the TVG crew can solve the mystery.  

     

    

       

    

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