American Admiral giving right signs coming into Los Alamitos Special
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American Admiral was nominated for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Sept. 2 at Del Mar. That is as close as he has gotten to a start in the $1 million race.
“He was only nominated if the race fell apart,” trainer Tim Yakteen said. “It was going to be a big ask.”
The Pacific Classic field was as tough as expected, leaving American Admiral in the barn. Two weeks later, Yakteen has found a more suitable race for American Admiral in Sunday’s $100,000 Los Alamitos Special at 1 1/16 miles.
“He’s training super,” Yakteen said. “It’s a good spot for him.”
The Los Alamitos Special, restricted to nonwinners of a stakes at a mile or longer worth $50,000 or more to the winner, drew a field of six.
The only stakes winner in the field is Handy Dandy, who was claimed for $80,000 on Aug. 19 at Del Mar and will start for the first time for trainer Bob Hess Jr. on Sunday. Handy Dandy won the minor Let It Ride Stakes on turf at Del Mar last November.
American Admiral has an excellent chance for his first stakes win, as do Arham and Celestial Moon, who won their last starts in allowance races at Del Mar. Salesman, stakes-placed in France last year, will have his first start on dirt Sunday. It’s My House, an allowance race winner at Santa Anita in May, will race near the front.
American Admiral is a stalker who should get a favorable trip. Owned by Donnie Crevier, American Admiral won an allowance race at a mile in that manner on June 11 at Santa Anita, but was eighth of nine in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 29 at Del Mar.
“He didn’t fire,” Yakteen said. “He was training really well going into that race. I can’t explain him not showing up, but that happens.”
Yakteen has been encouraged by American Admiral’s recent training. A winner of 3 of 19 starts, American Admiral worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Del Mar last Monday.
Celestial Moon should get a good trip in his stakes debut. Celestial Moon won his first start of 2023 in an allowance race at a mile on Sept. 3 at Del Mar, closing from third in a field of seven.
“We were extremely pleased with the race,” trainer Mark Glatt said.
Glatt is hopeful Celestial Moon can repeat the effort despite a quick turnaround.
“This seems like a perfect spot for him,” Glatt said. “He’s coming back in two weeks and that’s a little bit concerning. There is always a bounce factor.”
Salesman has been a disappointment in two starts on turf since arriving from France, finishing ninth in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on May 29 at Santa Anita and 12th in the Wickerr Stakes on July 23 at Del Mar.
“He’s not done anything on turf,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “He trains pretty good on dirt. We’re just hoping.”
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