ARCADIA, Calif. – The frequency of pick six carryovers increased this autumn at Santa Anita; Friday marks the third carryover of the meet. The uptick is mostly because the pick six is tougher to hit since the track raised the minimum bet from $1 to $2. What’s less frequent is a curiosity in the seventh race on Friday. A top contender in the California-bred allowance lost his summer debut at a low-profile track that rarely produces Southern California runners, much less winners. It’s a long way from Wyoming Downs to Santa Anita. I’m Ripped, who began his career finishing third at Wyoming Downs on July 7, will continue an unconventional campaign in the featured seventh race Friday at Santa Anita. The six-furlong dirt race is part of a pick six that begins with a $47,834 carryover. Bettors are expected to wager more than $300,000 on the race 3-8 sequence. The carryover brightens an otherwise quiet card on which I’m Ripped is a contender to win the feature race despite his humble origin. Race 7 is the penultimate leg of the pick six. I’m Ripped did not run well last out, but he had an excuse. In his previous start, the second of his career, he achieved a rarity. I’m Ripped might be the first horse to win a Del Mar maiden race after prepping at Wyoming Downs. The Del Mar maiden win gives him a realistic chance to wire the Santa Anita allowance on Friday. I’m Ripped has been all over the map. Bred in California, I’m Ripped was purchased for $10,000 at a 2022 yearling sale by John and Tara Brocklebank. John Brocklebank and trainer Luis Mendez have built careers buying and developing inexpensive horses, then selling them. Graded winners Dr. Schivel, Ceiling Crusher, and Big City Lights are recent horses they broke and sold. No one knew if I’m Ripped would make it. Brocklebank said the colt, sired by Conquest Farenheit, was initially “a little less coordinated” than other young prospects. I’m Ripped trained early at Dixie Downs in Utah, and he changed. “All a sudden, instead of an ugly duckling, you’re looking at a beautiful swan,” Brocklebank said. “To give him a little summer league practice game in Wyoming seemed like a good fit.” :: Bet Santa Anita with confidence! Get DRF All Access Past Performances, Picks, Clocker Reports and more. I’m Ripped finished third in his Wyoming debut, then shipped to Del Mar, eligible for the track’s ship-and-win bonus program. Like most Brocklebank-managed runners, I’m Ripped was for sale. Brocklebank called trainer Doug O’Neill, who had purchased Ceiling Crusher from Brocklebank and Mendez following her maiden win. Ceiling Crusher won the Grade 1 Cotillion last fall. “We respect those guys,” O’Neill said referring to Brocklebank and Mendez. “When they call, you don’t have to think too much. You go look, and if [the horse] fits your thing, you get it done. They called, and said [I’m Ripped] is for sale. We looked at him, we liked him.” Sold. His new owners were Ty Leatherman and Mark Davis. I’m Ripped made his Del Mar debut for the new connections Sept. 2 at Del Mar and wired the maiden field. The win was validated when the runner-up won his next start. I’m Ripped ran back Sept. 29, on grass. The surface switch backfired. He finished eighth. “We tried the grass, but he’s a solid, muscular horse that looks like he would prefer the dirt,” O’Neill said. “After watching that [grass race] and talking with the jock, getting him back on the dirt should help him.” Edwin Maldonado rides I’m Ripped, a front-runner in a sprint that is light on speed. His rivals include California Tiger, Windribbon and Northern California shipper Unbridled Vision. In order for the Friday feature to preserve pick six significance, bettors must survive the first four legs of the sequence. Race 3 is a starter allowance for 2-year-olds. O’Neill starts likely favorite Winds of Freedom, a last-out maiden winner. His victory was validated when two behind him ran back and won their next start. For what it’s worth, six-furlong sprints have been unusually predictable this fall. Nine of 14 races at six furlongs were won favorites, including the last six. Race 4 is a turf mile for California-bred maidens, led by Call Me Sir and King of Dragons. They finished second and fourth, respectively, last out. Call Me Sir was disqualified and placed third for interference. It’s a Factor stretches out with a turf pedigree and speed to set the pace. Race 5 is an inscrutable dirt mile for $16,000 claiming fillies and mares, nonwinners of two races. One Arrow and stretch-out Looks Lucky are chief contenders, but neither is trustworthy. This probably is a spread race for pick six bettors. Race 6 is a filly-mare starter allowance at six furlongs on turf. Gem Mine drops in class as the one to beat; Collectmythoughts won a maiden-claiming dirt sprint with a big number last out. She is bred for turf. Race 7 is the California-bred allowance featuring I’m Ripped. Race 8 is a $50,000 maiden-claiming turf mile. Contenders include last Elizabethan, Upcharge, and Above All Else. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.