By Alan Carasso
Friday's Santa Anita program concludes with a baker's dozen set to face the starter in a competitive-looking renewal of the GII Twilight Derby.
Monster Bea (Hat Trick {Jpn}) looks a live chance on figures for owner Gary Barber and trainer Peter Miller. A two-time winner in nine starts on turf and synthetic for trainer Mark Casse, the bay belied odds of 12-1 to win the Oceanside S., the traditional opening-day feature at Del Mar July 15. Since then, the gelding has completed the superfecta on three straight occasions, namely as the favorite in the GIII La Jolla H. Aug. 6 ahead of a half-length defeat at the hands of upset-minded Free Rose (Munnings) in the GII Del Mar Derby Sept. 4. In his most recent trip to the post, Monster Bea uncustomarily set the pace in Belmont's GIII Hill Prince S. and held on reasonably well finish 1 1/4 lengths adrift of the victorious Camelot Kitten (Kitten's Joy).
Oscar Nominated (Kitten's Joy) brings solid Midwest form into this event. Narrowly runner-up in the GIII American Derby at Arlington July 9, he was a sneaky-good fifth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths in the GI Secretariat S. Aug. 13. The chestnut ridgling exits an outstanding effort in the Dueling Grounds Derby Sept. 11 in which he sat a midpack trip, then stormed away through the lane to take it by 6 1/4 lengths from Path of David (Istan). The latter was third to Monster Bea in the Oceanside prior to the Dueling Grounds Derby.
Blackjackcat (Tale of the Cat) graduated down the hillside course June 5 and defeated a field including Free Rose in a first-level Del Mar allowance the following month. Void of an excuse when sixth, beaten two lengths in the Del Mar Derby, the dark bay was a creditable third when last seen in the GII Los Alamitos Derby in Orange County Sept. 24. He has worked well since and is a factor getting back onto his preferred surface.
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