Collusion Illusion (Twirling Candy) tops a five-horse renewal of the GIII Lazaro Barrera S. Saturday at Santa Anita. Opening his account with a pair of wins last summer at Del Mar, including the GII Best Pal S., the bay was pulled up and walked off in the GI American Pharoah S. when trying two turns at Santa Anita Sept. 27. Cut back to six panels for his sophomore bow in Arcadia May 17, he scored a decisive three-length victory.
Ragtime Blues (Union Rags) represents the powerhouse barn of Bob Baffert. Runner-up to the reopposing Howbeit (Secret Circle) on debut at Los Alamitos in September, the bay graduated next out at Oaklawn Apr. 24 and followed suit with an optional claimer score in Arcadia May 25.
Alcools (Gemologist) won on debut on the synthetic at Woodbine for owner/trainer Wayne Rice last August, after which he was privately purchased by Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber and transferred to Peter Miller. Ninth in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint S. Sept. 7, he was sixth next out sprinting on dirt at Keeneland Oct. 5 and romped by 6 3/4 lengths going two turns on the Churchill main track 22 days later.
Rounding out the field is Phantom Boss (Shackleford), winner of the GIII Bashford Manor S. last term. He was last seen finishing fourth when trying turf in the local Desrto Code S. June 6 and the aforementioned Howbeit was also fourth last time in a main track optional claimer her May 25.
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