02/24/2013 5:43PM

Santa Anita: Sahara Sky will seek rare sprint sweep in Potrero Grande

By Steve Andersen
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Benoit & Associates
Sahara Sky, ridden by Joe Talamo, will be pointed to the Potrero Grande Stakes on April 6.

Sahara Sky has emerged as the dominant sprinter at Santa Anita this year, with wins in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes on Jan. 19 and the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes on Saturday.

A 5-year-old horse, Sahara Sky is scheduled to make his next start in the $150,000 Potrero Grande Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs on April 6. If he wins that race, he will be the first horse to sweep those three major sprints since Big Jag in 1999. Kona Gold won the 2000 Palos Verdes and Potrero Grande, but was beaten a nose by stablemate Son of a Pistol in that year’s San Carlos.

Sahara Sky is co-owned by Kim Lloyd, the general manager of Fairplex Park racing, and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. They hope to run Sahara Sky in the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap over a mile at Belmont Park on May 27 after the Potrero Grande.

“I’ve been thinking about the Met Mile,” Lloyd said, leaving the winner’s circle. “He’s a different horse this year.”

The Palos Verdes was Sahara Sky’s first start since last June.

John 7 months ago
And the way he loves Santa Anita, dare we say .."say it say it " BREEDERS CUP SPRINT ?
Lenny Mamola 7 months ago
very possible
Lenny Mamola 7 months ago
Was a note horse of mine..Note said small field would be better for him....After layoff...He came back a completely different animal....But something caught my eye before..He's turning into a monster...I disagree on running him a mile...you already proven where he belongs why would you change??????????????