Path of David scores as heavy favorite in Eddie Logan

ARCADIA, Calif. - Path of David’s flashy maiden win at Del Mar in November made him the even-money favorite to win Thursday’s $79,250 Eddie Logan Stakes on turf at Santa Anita.

He more than lived up to expectations, rallying from eighth of 10 to win the one-mile race by a length over 6-1 Imperious One and leaving jockey Joe Talamo impressed with the performance.

“I tried to guide him in the right direction,” Talamo said. “At the three-eighths pole, I had so much horse.”

Path of David ($4.20) was timed in 1:36.07. Imperious One finished a half-length in front of Arabian Leopard, who had an unlucky trip. Arabian Leopard broke slowly and trailed to the final quarter-mile before unleashing an eye-catching rally that left his backers rightfully frustrated at the outcome.

Imperious One led by a half-length with a furlong to go and ran well in his second start in the United States. Trainer Doug O’Neill said Imperious One will be fitted with a set of blinkers that allows more visibility for his next start. O’Neill said jockey Rafael Bejarano thought Imperious One was startled when Path of David ran alongside him in the stretch.

“We’ll cut the blinkers back,” O’Neill said. “I think this horse has a lot of upside.”

Canada, a 5-1 shot, finished fourth, followed by Trust Your Gut, Bully Pulpit, Mr Notorious, Afleet Domination, Giopress, and Storming Candy.

Path of David, a gelding by Istan, races for Sam and Janet Alley and Ike and Dawn Thrash. Path of David was winless in four starts for trainer Michael Stidham, including a sixth-place finish on dirt at Del Mar in July, before joining trainer Kristin Mulhall’s stable in the fall.

Path of David won a maiden race at Del Mar on Nov. 28, closing from off the pace. Talamo adopted the same style in the Eddie Logan Stakes and was helped when Storming Candy set a quick pace of 22.84 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.77 seconds for the first half-mile.

“He was so good coming from behind last time, I didn’t want to take him out of his element,” Talamo said. “He was so impressive today.”

Path of David has won 2 of 6 starts and earned $90,555.