Maiden King

Maiden King conquers So. Cal. maiden races

Maiden claiming $32,000, 6-1/2 furlongs, 3-year-olds

Possible overlays                         Morning line

#11 Saccente                                    10/1
#13 Only Be Cause                              2/1

Bob Baffert drops #13 Only Be Cause from $50,000 claiming to this horse’s lowest level in nine lifetime starts. On Feb. 14, Only Be Cause ran 7 furlongs and finished a game second to a well-meant first time starter named The Major.

 In that race, Only Be Cause earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure which is well in excess of the 68 winning median Beyer Speed Figure for this class.

Of the three first time starters, #11 Saccente looks like a play if the odds fall the right way.

I will bet $350 to win on #13 Only Be Cause only if he is 2/1 or better and I’ll take $150 on #11 Saccente at 10/1 to 19/1.