Big John B fizzles on soft turf

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Phil D’Amato said Big John B, last of eight as the 9-5 favorite in the Grade 3 Last Tycoon Stakes last Saturday at Santa Anita, struggled on a turf course that took light rain that afternoon. He said plans were uncertain for the 6-year-old, who won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap last August.

Big John B was well beaten by Si Sage. When it was obvious that Big John B would have no say in the outcome, jockey Mike Smith did not urge Big John B in the final furlong.

“I don’t think he liked that surface,” D’Amato said. “He didn’t come back tired at all. It rained a good couple of hours before the race. I threw that race out. I’m confident he didn’t like the soft going. Mike said every time he asked him, he grunted and didn’t care for it.”

D’Amato said the $200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on May 24 is a possibility for Big John B. Si Sage is expected to start in the Grade 2 Whittingham.