STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN

__SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023 __

- • MCCARTHY IS DOUBLE-BARRELED FOR SUNDAY’S CINEMA STAKES - • 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY PUSHINESS ROLLS IN DEBUT FOR REPOLE __- • ARABIAN KNIGHT AMONG 174 WORKERS ON A DRIZZLY SATURDAY __ - • INFIELD FAMILY FUN ZONE SET FOR WEEKENDS IN JUNE - • HOLLYWOOD MEET AT SANTA ANITA CLOSES JUNE 18 - • MIKE SMITH OFF MOUNTS TO SERVE AS FOX ANALYST AT BELMONT

__MCCARTHY IS DOUBLE-BARRELED IN SUNDAY’S CINEMA STAKES __

Mi Hermano Ramon and Wizard of Westwood were separated by just a head on May 7 when running one-two here in the Singletary Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles on turf. On Sunday, they meet again in the Cinema Stakes. This time it will be at 1 ¼ miles on grass.

Mi Hermano Ramon, who prior to the Singletary was fourth in the GIII Transylvania at Keeneland, is the 2-1 program favorite for trainer Mark Glatt. Wizard of Westwood is the co-second choice at 5-2 for trainer Michael McCarthy, who also entered Phosphorescence (6-1) in the seven-horse field.

In the Singletary, Wizard of Westwood managed to set a comfortable pace under Abel Cedillo, completing the opening half mile in 49.05 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.17. He continued to lead into deep stretch, but rallying along the outside came Mi Hermano Ramon and Umberto Rispoli. They nailed Wizard of Westwood on the wire to score as the favorite at 3-2.

While it was agonizing defeat for Wizard of Westwood, McCarthy was happy with the performance.

“I thought it was a very good effort. I’m hoping for similar fractions tomorrow,” McCarthy said.

Among the new shooters in the Cinema is the maiden Worcester, who will be making his turf debut for Bob Baffert. Worcester was third in the GIII Robert B. Lewis here Feb. 4 and was then sent to the Middle East where he was never a factor in the GII UAE Derby.

Following the international sojourn, Worcester returned in a one-mile maiden race here May 26. He dueled on the lead throughout under Juan Hernandez before getting beat a head by the promising Smart Mo for trainer John Shirreffs.

Like Wizard of Westwood, Worcester is also 5-2 on the morning line. Hernandez will again be aboard. Based off that most recent effort, Worcester could prove a pace nemesis for Wizard of Westwood on Sunday.

“We’ll see what happens when the gate opens up, but obviously he’ll be prominent,” McCarthy said of Wizard of Westwood. “If someone is intent on going in front of him, hopefully he can lay right off them.”

McCarthy’s other starter, Phosphorescence, will have Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux in the irons. He was bred in France and is by City of Light, who McCarthy trained to more than $5.6 million in earnings. Phosphorescence will be wheeling back in two weeks after a fourth-place finish in the Alcatraz Stakes going a mile on turf at Golden Gate.

“He never got hold of the grass up there,” McCarthy said of the Alcatraz. “But he’s come back and has trained well, so we’re going. The added distance won’t be an issue for him. He’s kind of a one-paced, galloping type.”

The Cinema goes as the eighth race on Sunday’s 10-race card. Post time is scheduled for 4:44 p.m. The field in post position order: El Perfecto, Victor Espinoza (12-1); Smart Uncle, Joe Bravo (10-1); Wizard of Westwood, Abel Cedillo (5-2); Mi Hermano Ramon, Umberto Rispoli (2-1); Maltese Falcon, Hector Berrios (10-1); Phosphorescence, Kent Desormeaux (6-1); Worcester, Juan Hernandez (5-2).

REPOLE’S JUVENILE FILLY PUSHINESS SERVES NOTICE WITH SHARP DEBUT WIN

There looks to be a bright future ahead for Pushiness following her 6 ½-length debut win here Friday going five furlongs against statebreds for top owner Mike Repole.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Pushiness was bet down to the 1-5 favorite for her belated debut. The daughter of Kantharos was previously entered here on May 20 in a similar statebred maiden race. She had to be scratched after hitting a wood rail in the saddling enclosure, resulting in a minor abrasion to her chest. She was back on the work tab five days later.

On Friday, Pushiness broke alertly under Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez and went the opening quarter mile in 21.85 seconds. She extended her lead to five lengths through a half mile in 45.68 before crossing the wire in a final time of 58.66 seconds. Four races earlier, the 2-year-old Cal-bred Stay Quiet won a similar maiden race in a time of 1:00.01.

McCarthy on Sunday said Pushiness was “in good order.” He also beamed over the effort.

“That was an exemplary performance,” McCarthy said. “She’s been ready to run for quite some time and we were confident she would run well.”

Pushiness is among several 2-year-old California-breds owned by New York-based Repole and trained by McCarthy. She was purchased by Repole for $115,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All Ages Sale at Fairplex Park.

McCarthy is now eyeing two stakes in August at Del Mar for Pushiness’s next start: the CTBA, for statebred fillies going 5 ½ furlongs Aug. 6 and GIII Sorrento at six furlongs on Aug. 13.

“Too early to make plans, but hopefully she trains well and gets to either of the two,” he added.

ARABIAN KNIGHT AMONG 174 WORKERS ON A DRIZZLY SATURDAY MORNING

Unbeaten graded-stakes winner Arabian Knight continued working for his comeback on a drizzly Saturday morning at Santa Anita.

Sidelined since winning the GII Southwest Jan. 28 at Oaklawn Park, Arabian Knight drilled four furlongs in 47.40 seconds for trainer Bob Baffert. The Uncle Mo colt has now worked three times since May 29.

Also working for Baffert Saturday was graded-stakes winner Du Jour (4f, 49.40) and the 3-year-old filly Pleasant, who was a promising debut winner here going 6 ½ furlongs on March 18. The Juddmonte homebred by Munnings worked five furlongs in a bullet 58.00 seconds.

In all, there wee 174 workers combined between the main track and training track.

FINISH LINES: Although named on three horses Saturday at Santa Anita, Hall of Famer Mike Smith will instead serve as an analyst for the Belmont Stakes national telecast on Fox…Turf Paradise-based trainer Don Schnell won his first race at Santa Anita this year with the 2-year-old filly Stay Quiet ($9.40), who graduated against statebreds in the third race…There is a Rainbow 6 Jackpot carryover of $123,686 for Saturday’s card…Closing day of the Santa Anita Hollywood Meet is a week from Sunday, June 18…The Santa Anita Infield will host a Family Fun Zone on Saturdays and Sundays through the remainder of the meet. Attractions include inflatable jumpers, arts and crafts, face painting, pony rides, carnival games and more…Horseplayer Louis Masry will be host Tom Quigley’s handicapping guest Sunday on the Santa Anita simulcast feed starting at 11:50.