Sham Stakes

COUNTDOWN REWIND: SHAM STAKES

By Jeremy Plonk

Date: Saturday, January 5
Track: Santa Anita
Kentucky Derby Points Awarded: 10-4-2-1
Distance: 1 mile (2 turns)

HANDICAPPERS’ RECAP: 

A short field of five with only two horses interested in the front end made the G3 Sham a race ripe for a front-end score. Heavy favorite GOLDENCENTS (Doug O’Neill) was able to sit second for the first time in his four-race career and pounce on front-running, last-out maiden winner MANANDO (Bob Baffert). There weren’t a lot of cute options in this race besides the favorite, given the pace scenario and class edge, having exited an already-productive G3 Delta Jackpot victory that had seen subsequent Gulfstream Park Derby winner ITSMYLUCKYDAY (Eddie Plesa) and impressive Fair Grounds allowance winner MYLUTE (Tom Amoss) show continued success.

ON THE CLOCK:

The first three quarters of the Sham were very strong at 23.00, 23.31 and 23.75; and note the first half-mile of this race ran 6-7 lengths faster than superb front-runner Ultimate Eagle ran in the G2 San Pasqual later in the card.  But a final quarter-mile in 26.44 with that last furlong in a weak 13.66 tells that these horses were not finishing with any aplomb, and none of the closers proved any good, including dirt-challenged, runner-up finisher DEN’S LEGACY (Bob Baffert), who couldn’t capitalize on a pace that was stalling late.

THE EYE TEST:

GOLDENCENTS got an A-plus grade for the first three-quarters of a mile of the Sham, but about a B-minus or C for his run through the lane. Jockey Kevin Krigger went to the stick often in a workmanlike effort to punch past MANANDO and hold DEN’S LEGACY at bay. I loved that the front-running horse showed patience and gears early in the race and took his cues, and he did gallop-out decently, especially considering how slow they came home.

PROJECTING THE SHAM FORWARD:

The natural step from here would be the G2 Lewis Memorial the first Saturday in February, or await the March 9 G2 San Felipe, both races at 1-1/16 miles. The connections of GOLDENCENTS appear more apt at this point to aim for the San Felipe and then Santa Anita Derby. His pedigree still leaves me uncertain at a classic distance, so I’d prefer to see more racing from this horse than taking the path of least resistance. MANANDO may have earned himself a shot at Oaklawn’s G3 Southwest next month at 1 mile, a venue at which Baffert has had excellent success in recent years with horses who can fly early like Conveyance, Secret Circle et al. DEN’S LEGACY probably deserves one more chance on dirt to prove he belongs, but must do more with his opportunity next time.