Maiden King

I never seem to be on a Julio Canani-trained horse when they win because they’re always bet too low. From what I hear, it’s because this trainer is a huge Southern California bettor.  

However, wagering against Canani has been profitable in the past because, when he brings a suitcase full of money to the window, it boosts the odds on the other horses. And his ponies lose quite often.

But on Sunday, the Canani-trained #5 Miss Silver Brook made her first start a winning one. The gray filly laid off the pace early, then jockey Alex Solis rallied her on the outside where she mowed down #8 Ride Me Fast and #1 Storm the Church in the stretch. 

But she paid a paltry $6.80, which is a price that doesn’t come close to covering the risks associated with a horse running in its first lifetime start. Even Secretariat lost the first time he ran.

But enough history. Back to this race: Trainer Jeff Mullins had two fillies going  — the 9-to-5 shot #6 No Saint But Sweet and #1 Storm the Church at 10-to-1. And the longer- odds horse ran better. I bet $150 on Storm the Church, a debuter, who broke slowly but came on strong with a run four-paths wide on the turn. She held the lead at the top of the stretch before fading to third.

Jockey Garrett Gomez was stuck behind a wall of horses at the eighth pole while riding #2 White Lamb, who I also bet $150 on at 9-to-2. This horse looked like he wanted to make a run, as race caller Trevor Denman commented, “White Lamb needs somewhere to go,” at the eighth pole —  and with a sixteenth of a mile to run  “White Lamb desperate to get through.”

But Gomez couldn’t find any room.

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