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Classy United Returns To Action In Saturday’s San Luis Rey Stakes

Richard Mandella's classy multiple stakes winning United, idle since early November, will square off with Richard Baltas' sharp recent winner Masteroffoxhounds, as they head a field of five older horses going a mile and one half on turf in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita.

A winner of four out of nine Santa Anita turf starts, United has been idle since running a disappointing eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 7 at Keeneland—a race in which he finished second, beaten a head at Santa Anita on Nov. 2, 2019.

A 6-year-old gelding by Giant's Causeway, United enjoyed a terrific year in 2020, winning four out of his six starts, all in graded stakes, and finishing a close second in another, the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap three starts back on Aug. 22.

A gate to wire winner of the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at a mile and one quarter here two starts back on Sept. 26, United's lone “misfire” came in the Breeders' Cup Turf, a race in which he pressed the early pace but tired to be beaten 9 ¾ lengths.

Owned by LNJ Foxwoods, United will be ridden by Flavien Prat, who's been aboard for his last 11 starts, winning five of them. With two second place finishes in three tries at 1 ½ miles on turf, United is easily the leading money earner in the field with $1,453,549 from an overall mark of 17-7-4-1.

A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by War Front, Masteroffoxhounds made his first six starts in Ireland, winning one of them. A non-threatening seventh in his U.S. debut going one mile on turf three starts back on Nov. 7, he's shown rapid improvement going longer distances for Baltas—airing by 4 ¼ lengths in a 1 3/8 mile turf allowance Nov. 28 at Del Mar and most recently, winning the Grade 2, 1 ¼ mile turf San Marcos Stakes here on Feb. 6 by 1 ¼ lengths.

Although ridden by Joel Rosario for the first time in the San Marcos, Masteroffoxhounds will get the first-time services of Umberto Rispoli. With an overall mark of 9-3-1-1, Masteroffoxhounds, who is owned by Rockingham Ranch, has earnings of $172,942 and will be trying a mile and one half for the first time.

As is often the case on grass at Santa Anita, trainer Phil D'Amato will be very well represented, in this case, by a pair of horses, Ontario, Canadian-bred Say the Word and California-bred Acclimate.

In his first start for D'Amato, the current Winter/Spring leader with 10 stakes wins, Say the Word, a dedicated deep closer, finished with a flourish two starts back to be third, beaten one length, in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup going a mile and one half at Del Mar on Nov. 27. Subsequently 11th going 1 3/16 miles in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Turf Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, he's worked six times since over Santa Anita's inner dirt training track, a regimen that has worked well for D'Amato this winter.

A 6-year-old gelding by More Than Ready that is owned by his breeder, Sam-Son Farm and Agave Racing Stable, Say the Word's chances would be greatly enhanced by a lively pace. A Group 1 winner at a mile and one half on turf at Woodbine Race Course, he's got an overall mark of 27-5-2-5, good for earnings of $469,292.

With leading rider Flavien Prat opting to stick with United, Say the Word will be ridden for the first time by Mike Smith.

D'Amato will hope to “have 'em surrounded” in the San Luis Rey, as his 7-year-old gelding Acclimate, will likely go to the front and try to take the field as far as he can under Tyler Baze. Bet to the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 2 San Marcos on Feb. 6, this California-bred son of Acclamation showed the way until collared by Masteroffoxhounds in a 1 ¼ length defeat—which was his third start off a one year absence.

With four wins, two seconds and as many thirds from 13 tries over the Santa Anita turf, Acclimate's connections will hope a hillside start may bolster their front-running chances on Saturday. Owned by the Ellwood Johnston Trust, Timmy Time Racing, LLC and Ken Tevelde, Acclimate, who was bred in-part by Old English Rancho, has earnings of $439,872.

THE GRADE 3 SAN LUIS REY STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 7 of 9 Approximate post time 4:00 p.m. PT

Acclimate—Tyler Baze—120
Masteroffoxhounds—Umberto Rispoli—124
United—Flavien Prat—124
Say the Word—Mike Smith—124
Multiplier—Abel Cedillo—120

First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. All of Santa Anita's races are offered free of charge at santaanita.com/live and fans can wager at 1st.com/bet. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

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Cox Keeping Top Mares Apart: Monomoy Girl To Apple Blossom, Shedaresthedevil To La Troienne

Shedaresthedevil is scheduled to return to the track Thursday morning for the first time since her head victory over favored Letruksa in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares last Saturday at Oaklawn, according to Jorge Abrego, who oversees trainer Brad Cox's Oaklawn division.

Shedaresthedevil ($5.60) ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in a meet-best 1:42.57 to earn a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 99 for her wire-to-wire victory under Florent Geroux, the filly's first start since finishing third in the $400,000 Spinster Stakes (G1) Oct. 4 at Keeneland. The Spinster also was the first race against older horses for Shedaresthedevil, who is co-owned by Staton Flurry of Hot Springs.

Shedaresthedevil was a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2020 after winning four races, including the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) last March at Oaklawn and the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Oaks is the country's biggest prize for 3-year-old fillies. In her previous start at Oaklawn, Shedaresthedevil finished third behind eventual divisional champion Swiss Skydiver in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) last May.

“There was a little more pressure today than last time, being the Oaks champion coming in, 6-5, 4-5, whatever odds we were,” Flurry said. “I'm glad to have that one over with and see where we go from here.”

Although the Azeri is the final major local prep for the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 17, Cox said Shedaresthedevil probably will make her next start in the $500,000 La Troienne Stakes (G1) April 30 at Churchill Downs. Cox is pointing for two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl for the Apple Blossom.

“We'll talk it over with both camps, the Monomoy camp and the Shedaresthedevil camp, and come up with a game plan,” Cox said. “Ultimately, it would be great to keep them apart. They're two great fillies and both, obviously, worthy of running in Grade 1's next time. There's no sense in them butting heads this early in the year. Really, for both of them, their goal is the Breeders' Cup.”

Monomoy Girl, a two-time Breeders' Cup Distaff champion, won the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) for older fillies and mares Feb. 28 at Oaklawn in her seasonal debut.

Flurry said Shedaresthedevil received a 60-day break following the Spinster before resuming training in Kentucky. Shedaresthedevil arrived Jan. 9 at Oaklawn and returned to the work tab Feb. 1 before joining Cox's Fair Grounds division because of anticipated severe winter weather in Hot Springs that, ultimately, canceled training for almost two weeks. Cox had said in January that Shedaresthedevil was already on a tight schedule to make the Azeri and couldn't avoid any hiccups in advance of the race.

“We didn't miss any training, but we probably would have liked to have worked her a couple of more times maybe to feel a little more confident coming over here,” Cox said. “Obviously, she was fit enough to get it done. I think that's something positive that we can maybe move forward from. She was on the front end, doing all the work. We'll give her plenty of time to recover from this one and hopefully move forward.”

Cox said Shedaresthedevil exited the Azeri in “really good” shape physically and will remain at Oaklawn for the “short term” in preparation for her next start.

“Probably, the La Troienne makes the most sense,” Cox said.

Wednesday was another walk day for Shedaresthedevil, Abrego said, after Oaklawn closed the track early because of lightning in the area.

Flurry, who campaigns Shedaresthedevil with Qatar Racing LTD (David Redvers) and Big Aut Farms (Autry Lowry), purchased the daughter of Daredevil for $280,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Shedaresthedevil has a 6-2-3 record from 12 lifetime starts and earnings of $1,503,518.

Cox said stablemate Getridofwhatailesu, who finished third in the Azeri, will be considered for the 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom. Getridofwhatailesu was coming off a sharp late-running victory in the $150,000 Pippin Stakes Jan. 23 at Oaklawn. She was beaten two lengths in the Azeri.

“It's possible she could stay here and look at the Apple Blossom,” Cox said. “A Grade 1 placing would be worth a lot; I'm not saying she can't win. But she likes this track.”

Cox said Getridofwhatailesu also will be considered for the $100,000 Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) April 16 at Keeneland and the La Troienne. Both races are 1 1/16 miles.

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Sound Machine Should ‘Be Able To Sustain A Longer Run’ In Saturday’s Hurricane Bertie

If e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Sound Machine can notch her first graded-stakes success in Saturday's $100,000 Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream Park, it will be music to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.'s ears.

The Hurricane Bertie, a 6 ½-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, headlines a 12-race program that will also include the $75,000 Melody of Colors and the $75,000 Texas Glitter.

Sound Machine has had her moments during her 11-race career, but the multiple graded stakes-placed 4-year-old filly has also hit a few sour notes, including an off-the-board performance behind Pacific Gale in the Jan. 23 Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream.

The daughter of Into Mischief tuned up for another encounter with the John Kimmel-trained Pacific Gale Sunday with a sharp half-mile workout in 47.05 seconds while working in company with Collaborate, a brilliant maiden winner who is being pointed to the March 27 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farm at Xalapa.

“She had a good work with Collaborate the other day. Going into this race we think we have a chance,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “Obviously, John Kimmel's horse will be the favorite. We're hoping to get her to run a big race. We'd like to get a graded-stakes win out of her. This looks like a good opportunity to get it done.”

Sound Machine is winless in seven starts since capturing the 6 ½-furlong Glitter Woman by 6 ½ lengths in January 2020, but she produced a graded-stakes finish in the Miss Preakness (G3) at Pimlico, where she rallied to third, beaten 1 ½ lengths, after getting bumped at the start. The Florida-bred filly followed up her disappointing effort in the Inside Information with a third-place finish in an optional claiming allowance.

“She's going to have to run the best race of her life, but we feel she can improve,” Joseph said. “She always seems to have a short run in her, and you have to time it well. We did a minor throat procedure after her last start. We hope that helps. If it does help her, I think she'll be able to sustain a longer run.”

Tyler Gaffalione has the return call on the $500,000 yearling purchase.

Tobey Morton's Pacific Gale had gone winless in 17 starts before breaking through with a two-length victory in the Inside Information. During the dry spell, the daughter of Flat Out, was stakes-placed eight times and graded stakes-placed on five occasions, including a second-place finish in the 2019 Hurricane Bertie.

In the Inside Information, the 6-year-old veteran stakes performer made a three-wide rally into the stretch and drew off to score by 2 ¾ lengths.

Junior Alvarado has the mount aboard Pacific Gale.

Saguaro Row, also a 6-year-old veteran stakes mare, is scheduled to make her first start for Greenville Stable and trainer Kent Sweezey in the Hurricane Bertie. The daughter of Union Rags is coming off a third-place finish in the Jan 20 Interborough at Aqueduct.

Paco Lopez has the call.

Magic Cap Stables' Slam Dunk, a Shug McGaughey-trained optional claiming allowance winner at Gulfstream last time out; Lowwood Farm LLC and trainer Fernando Abreu's Royal Meghan, a winner of back-to-back optional claiming allowances; Arindel's Sonar, who defeated Sound Machine in her most recent start; Paradise Farm Corp.'s Cory Gal, who finished second behind Sonar in her last start; and trainer Patrick Biancone and D P Racing LLC's Reluctant Bride, a two-time winner last year who is scheduled to make her 2021 debut; round out the field.

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Pegasus Turf Winner Colonel Liam The Horse To Beat In Muniz Memorial

The early returns on Robert and Lawana Low's Colonel Liam were admirable enough for a young horse. A diet of steady works allowed the son of Liam's Map to post a victory via disqualification in his career debut and, while he was beaten in his second outing, there was reason to believe Todd Pletcher, his Eclipse Award-winning conditioner had plenty to work with moving forward.

In order to bring that upside to the surface, however, Pletcher needed to get the gray colt a change in surface scenery. Since switching Colonel Liam to the grass, Pletcher has indeed found himself with a new stable star on his hands, one who can further enhance his budding reputation when he starts in Saturday's $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2) against 11 rivals at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Contested at 1 1/8 miles over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course, the Muniz is race 12-of-14 and one of eight stakes races on Saturday's program. The headliner is the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2)—a Championship Series event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The All Stakes Late Pick Five (races 10-14) and All Stakes Late Pick Four (races 11-14) are both estimated at $750,000.

The expectations Colonel Liam (post 5 as the 3-1 favorite on Mike Diliberto's morning line, with Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride) has carried since being purchased for $1.2 million at the 2019 OBS April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale were met in his last start when he prevailed in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park on January 23. Since making his first two starts on dirt, Colonel Liam has won three of his four tries on the turf—confirming Pletcher's belief that life on the lawn would ultimately bring out the 4-year-old's best intangibles.

“We always sort of had in the back of our minds that he's got quite a bit of turf on the bottom side of his pedigree,” said Pletcher, a finalist for racing's Hall of Fame class this season. “He trained well enough on the dirt that we got him started but we also felt like maybe we weren't quite seeing the best of him. We worked him on the turf at Saratoga and that's when we saw a significant improvement. That's why we switched him to the turf, and he seems to have found a home there.”

The only blemish Colonel Liam has had on the turf came when he was bumped hard at the start of the Saratoga Derby last August en route to finishing fourth. A signal of what was to come then emerged last December when he came from off the pace to capture Gulfstream Park's Tropical Park Derby by 3 ¼ lengths.

In his first try against older horses and first venture into graded stakes company, Colonel Liam accelerated in the lane to best stablemate Largent by a neck in the Pegasus Turf while taking down a field that included grade 1 winner Next Shares and fellow Muniz entrant Pixelate.

“We felt very good coming into (the Pegasus),” Pletcher said. “He had got what we'd hoped for in the prep race and subsequently came back and trained great. We were very optimistic that he was sitting on a good race and would perform well. Aside from (the Saratoga Derby), he's been perfect on the grass and I think he's versatile enough he can handle multiple distances.”

The turf male ranks were ripe with parity last season as the top contenders took turns beating up on one another. Should Colonel Liam perform as expected in the Muniz, Pletcher would likely target the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 1 with hopes of having his charge emerge as a definitive divisional leader.

“I will say now as an older horse, he has trained more impressively on the dirt than he used to so at some point we might consider trying that again, but he's doing so well on the grass now that we felt that the Muniz was good timing wise to hopefully propel him forward to the race at Churchill on Derby Day,” Pletcher said. “Right now, the plan it to hopefully go from the Muniz to Churchill and then there is a really good schedule of some high-quality grass races all summer. Hopefully we can have a good season with him.”

Gaining Ground Racing's Factor This (post 1 at 4-1 with Shaun Bridgmohan) will try stymie Colonel Liam's progression as he takes to the course where he has earned two of his four career graded stakes victories for trainer Brad Cox. The 6-year-old son of The Factor captured last year's Muniz Memorial—part of a four-race win streak for the bay horse—but has been off the board in his last three starts, including a fifth-place run in the February 13 Fair Grounds (G3).

“(Being on the rail) going 1 1/8 miles doesn't play a big role or scare me any, being down inside,” Cox said. “I like him better in this race than in the last race, from the standpoint that it looks like we're going to have a little bit of a softer pace and not be pressed as much, and that's what he likes. There's no secret about how he likes to run and the trip he needs; he needs to be able to take a breather and hopefully he can be able to get that on Saturday.”

Though Godolphin's homebred Pixelate (post 12 at 8-1 with Luis Saez) was fifth behind Colonel Liam in the Pegasus Turf, he was beaten less than 3 lengths by the winner and has the back class of his victory in the Del Mar Derby (G2) last September for trainer Mike Stidham.

“He ran very well (in the Pegasus Turf), he only got beaten a few lengths,” said Stidham. “He's one of those horses that, every time he runs, he's going to give you a huge effort. We're taking a shot; this race did come up very tough. But I think we're live, he tries every time, and if he gets a decent trip from that outside post, I think we're in there with a decent chance.”

Lothenbach Stables' homebred Captivating Moon (post 3 at 12-1 with Marcelino Pedroza) comes into the Muniz off a victory in the February 13 Fair Grounds, the first graded win for the 6-year-old horse in 29 career starts for trainer Chris Block. He is cross-entered in the New Orleans Classic (G2).

Completing the Muniz Memorial field from the rail out: Paul Braverman and owner-trainer Tom Morley's Ninety One Assault (post 2 at 30-1 with Mitchell Murrill), a Louisiana-bred stakes winner who is 7-for-11 over the Stall-Wilson; Three Diamonds Farm's Cross Broder (post 4 at 5-1 with Jose Ortiz), third in the Pegasus Turf for trainer Mike Maker; JPS Racing's Logical Myth (post 6 at 6-1 with Adam Beschizza); a two-time stakes winner at the meet and second in the Fair Grounds for trainer Joe Sharp; Wolfe Racing and owner-trainer Hugh Robertson's Two Emmys (post 7 at 20-1 with James Graham), who won an optional-claimer here in February; Terry Hamilton's Spooky Channel (post 8 at 8-1 with Florent Geroux), who enters off a win in the January 31 John B. Connally (G3) at Sam Houston for trainer Brian Lynch; Paradise Farms Corp and David Staudacher's Conviction Trade (post 9 at 15-1 with Joel Rosario), third in the Connally for Maker; JSM Equine's Peace Achiever (post 10 at 20-1 with Declan Carroll), third in the Fair Grounds for trainer Mark Casse; and Gary Barber's Olympic Runner (post 11 at 8-1 with John Velazquez), second, beaten a neck, in the February 27 Canadian Turf (G3) at Gulfstream for Casse.

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