Beautiful Art takes big class jump in San Felipe

ARCADIA, Calif. – Beautiful Art is scheduled to have his stakes debut in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, a third race in six weeks amidst a somewhat strange late winter campaign.

Beautiful Art was last of eight in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs on Jan. 22 in his debut, but rebounded to win a $200,000 claiming race for maidens at six furlongs on Feb. 11 at 6-1. Trainer Simon Callaghan hoped to start Beautiful Art in a first-condition allowance race, but has instead opted for an entry in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes.

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“I think he’s a horse that’s getting better,” Callaghan said Sunday. “This is a big step in distance and class.”

The San Felipe is a key prep to the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 9. Top candidates for the San Felipe include Forbidden Kingdom and Doppelganger, who were first and fourth in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on Jan. 29; and Cabo Spirit, second by 15 lengths to Messier in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 6.

Messier, trained by Bob Baffert, breezed a half-mile in 48.60 seconds on Monday for a possible start in the Santa Anita Derby.

Beyond Brilliant, a contender in the Kilroe Mile, worked a half-mile in 49.40 on Monday. He was second to Kilroe candidate Law Professor in the Grade 2 Mathis Mile for 3-year-olds on dirt on Dec. 26.