$2.5 million Metro makes debut in turf sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. – The most expensive yearling purchased at a North American auction in 2022 launches his career Friday at Santa Anita, and though a turf sprint for maidens is not the ultimate objective, it is a good place to start.

Metro, a Quality Road colt whose $2.5 million price tag topped the 2022 Keeneland September yearling sale, will be well-backed in the first race Friday at six furlongs on turf. John Sadler trains Metro for owners Talla Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing.

“He’s improved every week,” Sadler said. “He was a little late coming around, and then all of the sudden a little better, little better, little better. He’s ascending in all his works, so now’s the time to get him started.”

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Metro has not missed a beat since his first work in November. Despite a distance pedigree, the colt has speed.

“He surprised me a couple times, he’s got a little more zip than I thought,” Sadler said. “When you buy this kind, you’re looking for the big, two-turn colt. But he’s got a turn of foot, too.”

He’ll need it Friday against potential pacesetter All That Glory, a surface-switcher adding blinkers; first-time starters We’re in Trouble, J B Strikes Back, and Western Power; and route-to-sprint Fast Chaz.

Juan Hernandez rides Metro, whose dam True Feelings was Grade 3-placed as a juvenile. Two of the mare’s four runners won first out, including stakes winner Feeling Mischief and stakes-placed Royal Act. True Feelings also produced Nuclear, a $1.55 million Justify colt Sadler trains for Talla and West Point. Nuclear, third in both starts last year, is training toward his 4-year-old debut.

Although all of Metro’s works have been on dirt, including a sharp gate move Feb. 25, Sadler said turf “would be a nice way to start him off.” Sadler’s debut expectations? “Just a good, solid effort first time out, and I’m expecting that.”

The main rival for Metro could be All That Glory, a Goldencents colt with speed who switches to turf. Runner-up first out, he finished fifth next out against a tough field that included next-out winners Maymun and Tessuto, and subsequent Grade 2-placed McVay.

While the debut of Metro could ultimately be the most significant race Friday at Santa Anita, the card includes a handful of races with favorites whose likely low odds correspond to their chances.

Race 3: Gypsy King should be tough in this starter-allowance turf sprint, based on his runner-up comeback in a race that produced two next-out winners. Hernandez rides the gelding Gypsy King, whose main rival is the mare Fast Giselle.

Race 5: Bert’s Prospect is the most probable winner on the card, racing a mile on turf against California-bred maidens. Runner-up last out, Bert’s Prospect is trained by Sean McCarthy. His last 28 favorites produced 15 wins and 7 seconds. Tyler Baze rides Bert’s Prospect.

Race 9: Adelie, recent runner-up in a similar starter-allowance turf mile, will be tough to beat if she reproduces her comeback. Phil D’Amato trains Adelie, whose rider is Kazushi Kimura.

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