Calexman's speed gives him an edge in downhill sprint
ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita’s downhill turf course is favoring speed, and front-runner Calexman could be loose on the lead in the featured seventh race Friday.
So, is he a slam dunk in the turf sprint for 3-year-olds? Not so fast.
Calexman faces five rivals in the first-level allowance/optional $75,000 claiming sprint. Although he lost by just a nose in a similar turf sprint last out and looks like the lone speed Friday, trainer Vladimir Cerin is not convinced turf is his preferred footing.
“His Beyer ratings are better on dirt,” Cerin said. “But he’s developing and getting bigger and stronger, so it’s hard to tell where he is better – turf or dirt. His only win was on grass at Del Mar.”
Del Mar opens July 18 with the Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds on turf. That mile race could be the target for Calexman if he runs well Friday against sharp maiden winner So Long Sailor, recently gelded Heartfullofstars, Unpossible, More Honor, and Jimmy Chila.
Cerin is right that Calexman earned his top Beyer Speed Figures on dirt. But he ran super last out on the downhill turf course. He dueled three wide, shook off his pace rivals into the lane, and got worn down late.
A rider switch Friday to Geovanni Franco is “just to shake it up a little bit,” Cerin said.
Meanwhile, there is a potential knock is his work pattern. Since his last start May 17, Calexman has worked just one slow half-mile.
“He’s galloping well, but I haven’t pushed him,” Cerin said.
Calexman certainly benefits by the recent course profile. Into Thursday, six of the last eight turf sprints were won by the early pacesetter.
While surface preference is undetermined for Calexman, two other Cerin trainees also owned by Holly and David Wilson will aim for the Del Mar summer turf series.
Stakes-placed Count Alexander is scheduled to return in the Oceanside, and two-time stakes winner Pubilius Syrus will return in midsummer and perhaps run in the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 2.
“I’d like to get one race into him before the derby,” Cerin said.
KEY CONTENDERS
Calexman, by Midshipman
Last 3 Beyers: 75-86-87
◗ His career-best Beyer was the 87 he earned finishing fourth March 17 in a dirt-route allowance for 3-year-olds that was won by Justify.
So Long Sailor, by Quality Road
Last 3 Beyers: 80-51-57
◗ He was a first-time gelding returning from a layoff of more than seven months when he and jockey Kent Desormeaux upset maidens at 14.80-1 on the downhill course May 19.
◗ So Long Sailor is trained by Peter Miller, who has won with five of his last six downhill starters coming off a maiden win.
Heartfullofstars, by Astrology
Last 3 Beyers: 74-81-79
◗ He finished a neck behind Calexman last out, after which he was gelded.
◗ Heartfullofstars is trained by Phil D’Amato, who entered the week tied for second in the meet standings. D’Amato and Miller entered the week with 22 wins, four behind meet leader Doug O’Neill.