Aristocratic ready to run back to ability in San Pedro

ARCADIA, Calif. – Aristocratic went from a promising win in a maiden race at Santa Anita in February to a sixth-place finish in the Gazebo Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 4 in consecutive starts.

The journey to the South has largely been forgotten by trainer Doug O’Neill, who will start Aristocratic in Sunday’s $75,000 San Pedro Stakes for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita.

“He came unglued,” O’Neill said of the Oaklawn Park race. “He was reluctant to load. It was a bad experience.”

Aristocratic has been better behaved in recent weeks, O’Neill said, and has worked well, including five furlongs from the gate in 59 seconds on March 24.

Aristocratic is quick, and he will be challenged in the San Pedro by Big League, who was second in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar last August but has not raced since September.

The San Pedro Stakes drew only five runners, including Bobby Abu Dhabi, who won an optional claimer on March 19; Taxman’s Quest, a stakes winner at Remington Park last October; and Rebel War, the winner of a $100,000 claiming race for maidens last month.

KEY CONTENDERS

Aristocratic, by Malibu Moon

Last 3 Beyers: 57-81-76

◗ Aristocratic disputed the pace in his maiden win and drew off by 1 1/4 lengths. At Oaklawn Park, Aristocratic never reached the front.

“He didn’t show his normal speed away from the gate,” O’Neill said. “He was pelted with kickback. It was his first time shipping.”

◗ O’Neill said Aristocratic has been schooled at the gate in the last month.

◗ Rafael Bejarano, who was aboard for the maiden win, has the mount.

◗ Owned by Kaleem Shah, Aristocratic was purchased for $475,000 at a sale of 2-year-olds in training last April.

Big League, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 65-75-74

◗ Big League won his debut last July at Del Mar before finishing second to Klimt in the Best Pal Stakes and third behind California Diamond as the 4-5 favorite in the Barretts Juvenile Stakes at Los Alamitos last September.

◗ Owned by Rockingham Ranch, Big League drew the outside post in the San Pedro, which could give jockey Edwin Maldonado options, trainer Peter Miller said.

“I think you’ll see a lot of speed,” Miller said. “He’s got a perfect post. We can go to the front or sit off the pace. He’s very fast.

“He seems like a sprinter. He’s built like a fullback.”

Bobby Abu Dhabi, by Macho Uno

Last 3 Beyers: 82-50-75

◗ He also is owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Miller.

◗ Bobby Abu Dhabi has won two of three starts. He won a maiden race last November at Del Mar, finished fourth behind Mastery in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Derby last December, and then won the optional claimer.