Big Cazanova takes next step
DEL MAR, Calif. – Big Cazanova ran so well in his first start on Polytrack, setting a track record for a mile, that he was nominated to the Pacific Classic as well as this Saturday’s Harry F. Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar. But instead of heading from a first-level allowance right into a stakes race, Big Cazanova is coming back in a second-level allowance Thursday.
“We wanted to take baby steps with him,” Peter Miller, who trains Big Cazanova, said Tuesday. “We seriously considered the Pacific Classic, but when we looked at the pace scenario and the quality of the field, it led us to take an easier route.”
Big Cazanova will be heavily favored against five rivals Thursday. The 1 1/8-mile race goes as the second on the card, but the $80,000 purse is the richest of the day. Of the six runners, half are using their second-level allowance condition, and half are in for the optional-claiming price of $62,500.
Should Big Cazanova successfully continue up the class ladder Thursday, Miller said he would consider running him in the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita on Sept. 27. But first things first.
“He’s got to show he belongs,” Miller said.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Big Cazanova. Trainer Peter Miller has not had a repeat winner from 12 starts at Del Mar in the past five years in a synthetic route. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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KEY CONTENDERS
BIG CAZANOVA (Last 3 Beyers: 102-97-95)
◗ He won going a mile last time in front-running fashion, covering the distance in 1:34.74 while earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure.
◗ An import from Argentina, Big Cazanova arrived here a maiden. After two starts, he was fitted with blinkers, and since then he has won twice in three starts.
“He’s gotten better, stronger,” Miller said. “He’s acclimatizing to North American racing.”
◗ Corey Nakatani rode Big Cazanova in his last three starts. But Thursday is the final day of a three-day careless-riding suspension for him, so Elvis Trujillo takes over.
A RED TIE DAY (Last 3 Beyers: 85-90-82)
◗ Finished third in a similar race last time out Aug. 3 after making a bold bid to challenge entering the stretch. He then flattened out behind the stakes-class Blue Tone.
◗ Got a nice pace setup last time going a mile, and both his wins have been at a mile (on turf), so the question is whether his punch will be as effective going a furlong farther.
STONEY FLEECE (Last 3 Beyers: 81-82-77)
◗ Most of his career has been spent on turf, but his synthetic form is very good – he’s won twice in five starts, and both those victories came here on Polytrack. So, he has a right to improve with this surface switch.
◗ Exits a very strong grass allowance race in which he was a distant second to Big John B, who emerged from that race to capture the Del Mar Handicap last Saturday.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Uncle Dick. Trainer Leonard Powell is 4 for 11 with a $4.92 ROI over the past five years putting blinkers on horses going a route of ground. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan