Secret Circle winning last fall's Jack Goodman Stakes at Santa Anita. Benoit photo
Sneak preview of tomorrow’s stakes advance:
Newly-turned 3-year-olds will be in the spotlight Saturday at Santa Anita, Aqueduct and Turfway Park, some of whom could emerge as legitimate Kentucky Derby horses.
Santa Anita’s $100,000 Sham Stakes has been shortened to a mile after starting out as a 1 1/8-mile race that was reduced to 1 1/16 miles last year. But the two-turn configuration will give trainer Bob Baffert an indication if 3-for-3 Secret Circle, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint in his last start, can be as effective around two turns. The speedy colt certainly is bred to handle route racing, being a son of the Unbridled stallion Eddington, whose biggest success came at longer distances.
“The Sham at one mile now is a good spot for horses whose potential for longer distances you’re not certain of,” Baffert said. “We’re going to find out more about Secret Circle in this race.”
Secret Circle’s competition includes the highly regarded Hierro, who won a Churchill maiden race by 5 ¼ lengths in his last start. Julien Leparoux comes in from Florida to ride the son of 2007 Derby runner-up Hard Spun for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Longview Drive, a son of Pulpit, adds blinkers after finishing third in the Delta Jackpot following three straight wins. Handsome Mike, seventh in the CashCall Futurity, makes his debut on true dirt, which his pedigree (by Scat Daddy out of a Smart Strike mare) suggests he’ll handle.
Aqueduct’s Count Fleet received a purse boost to $150,000 from $65,000, instantly turning it into a real prep for the track’s Gotham and Wood Memorial. Three horses who last ran in Breeders’ Cup races head the field of seven at a mile and 70 yards.
Alpha, the Count Fleet’s 4-5 favorite, won his first start at Saratoga by six lengths, was second to Union Rags in the Champagne but then was 11th in the BC Juvenile after acting up in the starting gate. The son of champion Bernardini also will race on Lasix for the first time.
“I think a $150,000 race puts you on the map, and this is a race that can be a stepping stone,” said Art Magnuson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “We do think about the future with Alpha, and hope he’s a Derby-type horse.”
Speightscity won a 1 1/8-mile maiden race at Saratoga but was ninth in the Juvenile. Shkspeare Shaliyah, winner of the Grade III Pilgrim on turf, was ninth in the Juvenile Turf.
Also in the Count Fleet are Stephanoatsee, a half-brother to 2011 Preakness victor Shackleford, and Philadelphia-based Il Villano, winner of three straight sprints.
Turfway starts its 3-year-old series with the $50,000 Prevue at 6 ½ furlongs, which attracted an overflow field of 14. This race might not attract any Derby horses, but it’s a heck of a betting race with the 4-1 favorite being the Dale Romans-trained Salvatore G, fourth in a Churchill allowance race in his last start. Trainer Mike Maker sends out the entry of 5-1 Mr. Prankster and 6-1 Magical Season, both stakes-placed.
Discreet Dancer, who set a Gulfstream track record in taking his Dec. 3 debut by 9-3/4 lengths, heads a field of nine in a $42,500 mile allowance race at the South Florida track.
