B Squared owns class edge in Snow Chief Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – B Squared is a nose away from a perfect record after three starts.

“He’s lightly raced but mature and professional,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.

The poise the colt has displayed has led O’Neill and owners Paul and Zillah Reddam to enter B Squared in Monday’s $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita.

Already this spring, B Squared is a stakes winner in the division, having taken the $100,450 Silky Sullivan Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at a mile on turf at Golden Gate Fields on April 30. In his stakes debut, B Squared was beaten a nose in the Echo Eddie Stakes for California-bred sprinters at Santa Anita on April 8.

B Squared is the only stakes winner in the Snow Chief field, but Elwood J, Milton Freewater, More Power to Him, and Ninety Nine Proof have been second or third in stakes.

SNOW CHIEF STAKES, Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

B Squared, by Square Eddie

Last 3 Beyers: 84-80-80

◗ B Squared is a full brother to Ralis, who was second by a nose in the 2016 Snow Chief Stakes. Ralis, who won the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga in 2015, was later second in two more stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf – a nose loss in the Rainbow Stakes against open company last June and a half-length loss in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby last September.

◗ B Squared pulled away from Elwood J to win the Silky Sullivan by 1 1/4 lengths, giving O’Neill hope that the longer distance of the Snow Chief will work for him. Mario Gutierrez rode B Squared in the Silky Sullivan and has the mount Monday.

“He has the mind to do it,” O’Neill said. “He responded when Mario called on him.”

◗ Elwood J and Ninety Nine Proof, who was third in the Silky Sullivan, are part of the Snow Chief field.

Calli Way, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 82-78-62

◗ Calli Way was gelded in April and won an allowance race for California-breds at a mile on turf April 28. Calli Way is the only two-time winner on turf in the Snow Chief field.

◗ Calli Way, who will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano, drew the rail, which trainer Richard Baltas insists is not a concern.

“I don’t think the horse needs the lead,” Baltas said. “He needs to break and be comfortable. He’s cut out to be a nice horse.

“I think he’s got a good shot.”

Milton Freewater, by Creative Cause

Last 3 Beyers: 84-77-80

◗ The Snow Chief Stakes will be the turf debut for Milton Freewater and his 10th start. He was third in three stakes for California-breds at distances from 5 1/2 furlongs to a mile last year and was ninth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8.

◗ Milton Freewater was second in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on dirt April 29, closing well to miss by a half-length. The turf is worth a try, O’Neill said.

“He’s run on everything else,” he said. “For $200,000, we’ll give it a chance.”