Maiden King

Trainer Jeff Mullins won with hidden entry at 10/1

When a competent So. Cal trainer enters two horses in a maiden race, it usually pays to take a close look at both. And I wouldn’t argue with anybody who thought that a profitable long-term angle was to blindly bet them both, as long as they were paying decent odds. 

Trainer Jeff Mullins ran two fillies in Thursday’s tenth, with #11 Jaylo’s Mark getting the money in her second lifetime start at 10/1, while first-timer #9 Katie G finished seventh at 11/1.

Jockey Chantal Sutherland, who rode a recent winning first-time starter for Mullins, took Jaylo’s Mark immediately to the front then, with rivals closing in on her, pulled away by finding another gear in the stretch. 

Jaylo’s Mark had the curious morning line of 20/1. She had run a 51 Beyer Speed Figure in her only race while second-timer #3 Captivating Lyrics, trained by Thomas Bell II, ran a 54 in her debut, but was listed at 6/1. Furthermore, Mullins runs more horses than Bell II and wins at a higher percentage than him.

I bet $200 on Katie G., which was Mullins’ other horse, and $200 on #12 Ocean Style, who loomed at the top of the stretch, but had no late kick.  

To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com