‘Boy Sees Someone New

Owner Ernie Moody is hoping a change of trainers will have the same effect on Laura’s Lucky Boy as it has on Rock Hard Ten.

Since joining Richard Mandella’s barn, Rock Hard Ten is two for two, following up his victory in the Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26 with another in the Strub on Saturday.

Laura’s Lucky Boy, a 4-year-old Theatrical colt bred in Kentucky by Madeleine Paulson, will be making his first start for trainer Vladimir Cerin in today’s $75,000 Thunder Road Handicap at Santa Anita.

In nine starts for former trainer Jason Orman, who also was Rock Hard Ten’s original conditioner, Laura’s Lucky Boy won three, his biggest victory coming in the Will Rogers, a Grade III, last spring at Hollywood Park.

Idle since finishing fifth in the Hollywood Derby on Nov. 28, Laura’s Lucky Boy will have five opponents in the Thunder Road, which will be run at one mile on the turf. Patrick Valenzuela, who has been aboard for two of the colt’s three wins, has the mount today for the first time since they teamed to win the Will Rogers by four lengths.

The rest of the field is the Jenine Sahadi-trained duo of Joursanvault and Ender’s Shadow, Silver Traffic, King’s County and Night Bokbel, second in his U.S. debut for trainer Julio Canani on Dec. 4 at Hollywood Park.

Race of the day: Terrell will make his first start since a seven-length victory March 20 in today’s fourth at Santa Anita. A winner of two of three for Darley Stable and trainer Eoin Harty, and unbeaten at Santa Anita, the 5-year-old Distorted Humor horse will be ridden in the $52,000 optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs by David Flores.

One for the road: Strong Faith will improve, returning to the grass for trainer Roy Lumm in today’s third at Bay Meadows, a $30,000 allowance at one mile.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Red Opal, Exclusive Deposit and Ballistic Angel in the fifth, Firey Malek and Trendy Copy in the sixth, Laura’s Lucky Boy and Night Bokbel in the seventh and Franc Brooks and Raise The Bar in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/86. Money: Previous day/meet total: $17.60/$438.80. Total money bet: $546.