Coliseum aims to step forward again in Sham

Joe Talamo has put in many hours working with trainer Bob Baffert in trying to teach the headstrong colt Coliseum the right way to do things. It paid off in an impressive debut at Del Mar, which Coliseum won by nearly seven lengths on Nov. 17 while earning a 91 Beyer Speed Figure that stamped him as a potential top-notch Kentucky Derby prospect.

The next step on that journey is at Santa Anita on Saturday, when Coliseum gets plenty more thrown at him. He will face winners for the first time and try two turns for the first time when he meets six far more experienced rivals in the Grade 3, $100,000 Sham Stakes going one mile.

Talamo – who was aboard Coliseum for numerous workouts prior to his debut and those since – is hoping that the investments made in the morning will continue reaping dividends in the afternoon.

“He’s by no means a finished product,” Talamo said between working horses for Baffert at Santa Anita earlier this week. “I think he’s going to get better and better. He needs to settle. That’s his hole card.”

Coliseum, a colt by Tapit, has had a habit of pulling hard when he breaks off in his workouts. His daily gallops and Talamo’s handling in workouts have been designed to teach him to proportionally dole out his talent, which Talamo believes is immense.

“He has a high cruising speed,” Talamo said. “When he breaks off at the pole he wants to get after it pretty good. What impresses me is that he still finishes up and gallops out strongly. This track is deep. Most horses get to the finish and want to pull up, they’re so tired. He’s like a freight train. Race by race, he’s going to put it together.”

Coliseum’s main rival appears to be Gunmetal Gray, who was second in the American Pharoah here and then fifth last time out in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind the unbeaten Game Winner. Gray Magician looms a strong challenger after winning his first start going two turns in his first race since being privately purchased and moving to Peter Miller’s barn. Both those horses have raced two turns and have competed four times. If Coliseum’s inexperience betrays him, they can capitalize.

Easy Shot, Much Better, Savagery, and Sueno complete the lineup.

The Sham is worth 10 points to the winner on the system used by Churchill Downs to determine the starting field for the Kentucky Derby on May 4. It goes as race 9 on a 10-race card that begins at noon Pacific.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Coliseum, by Tapit
Beyer: 91

◗ Talamo said Coliseum broke far better in his debut than he had in his gate workouts leading up to the race, and did everything else right.

“He broke well, relaxed well, and finished,” Talamo said. “I was easing him up the last eighth.”

Gunmetal Gray, by Exchange Rate
Last 3 Beyers: 73-90-89

◗ He raced wide and ran in spots in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

◗ Mike Smith rides him for the first time.

Gray Magician, by Graydar
Last 3 Beyers: 80-74-77

◗ He clearly thrived when going two turns last time out, defeating maidens at Del Mar by 9 1/2 lengths.

◗ Flavien Prat rode him that day and is back aboard.