Arabian Leopard gets one more try on turf
ARCADIA, Calif. – Arabian Leopard nearly overcame a dreadful start to win the Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds on turf Dec. 31.
Arabian Leopard broke slowly and trailed by as many as 12 lengths before launching a remarkable rally to finish third in the one-mile race, 1 1/2 lengths behind Path of David.
The loss has led trainer Bob Baffert to start Arabian Leopard in a first-level optional $80,000 claimer for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf Sunday. The race might define how the colt is campaigned in the coming months. Baffert is entertaining the idea of switching Arabian Leopard to dirt.
“We hoped he’d be a dirt horse,” he said. “We’ll give him another shot.”
For Sunday’s race, Arabian Leopard has a new jockey – Gary Stevens replaces Martin Garcia. Arabian Leopard, who races for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum of Dubai, will race without blinkers for the first time in his seventh start.
Arabian Leopard will be favored if the race is run on turf, but there was a possibility of rain Saturday. If the race is switched to the main track, Danzing Candy almost certainly would draw into the field from the also-eligible list and would be favored. Danzing Candy was the impressive winner of a maiden race for 2-year-olds at seven furlongs Dec. 26 in his second start.
The optional claimer drew a field of 10 but will be limited to eight starters if it remains on turf. The turf rails will be set 30 feet out from the permanent position, which reduces the width of the course and limits the field size.
There are five runners in the field with stakes experience, including Imperious One, who was second in the Logan, and Trust Your Gut, who was a troubled fifth in the Logan after racing in traffic in the stretch.
It’s the Ice will be making his American debut. Purchased for approximately $85,000 at a horses-in-training sale in England last fall, It’s the Ice won his third and most recent start in a maiden race at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf at Chester, England, on Sept. 11. Chester has a short stretch similar to many American turf courses.
The gelding, by Sahkee’s Secret, races for the Little Red Feather partnership and is trained by Phil D’Amato.
“I think he’s pretty tactical,” D’Amato said. “He’s got a good mind. He can sit behind horses, or you can put him on the lead.”