Collusion Illusion continues climb to prominence in Lazaro Barrera Stakes

It was hardly an upset when Collusion Illusion won his comeback over a salty field of older allowance sprinters, but even his trainer did not expect the 3-year-old colt to downright crush.

“I can’t say I was surprised he won,” Mark Glatt said. “Was I a little surprised that he won in the fashion that he did? I think that would be fair to say.”

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Five weeks after the deceptively easy victory – he defeated next-out Cal-bred stakes winner Tiger Dad by three lengths – Collusion Illusion is back in his own age bracket Saturday at Santa Anita as the favorite in the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes.

A 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, the Barrera attracted four other entrants – allowance winners Ragtime Blues and Alcools, along with Phantom Boss and Howbeit. If he overcomes the inside post and reproduces his comeback, Collusion Illusion should become the eighth favorite to win the Barrera in the last 10 years.

The spotlight is nothing new for Collusion Illusion, an elite 2-year-old last summer at Del Mar where he won a maiden race and the Grade 2 Best Pal. He skipped the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity to stretch out in the Grade 1 American Pharoah at Santa Anita, a route in late September. It was a disaster.

Collusion Illusion was caught seven wide into the first turn, under a drive at the half-mile pole, and was pulled up in the stretch. He walked off.

What happened?

“We really don’t know for sure,” Glatt said. “He got in a little bit of trouble going into the first turn, then pretty much gave up. His blood work came back a little off, but nothing serious.”

Glatt put away Collusion Illusion to prepare for a spring comeback that was postponed when Santa Anita ceased racing from late March to the middle of May. Collusion Illusion won on May 17. Though he was not initially nominated to the Kentucky Derby, the colt was made eligible at the late nomination deadline in early June.

“We’re going to let him take us where he’s going to take us,” Glatt said, carefully dodging the next-race query. “Assuming things go well [Saturday], things will start to heat up a little bit. And he still has to pass the two-turn question.”

Sired by Twirling Candy, Collusion Illusion’s future might be grass. “If he happens to win on Saturday, it would be hard to move him to turf anytime soon, but I am looking forward to seeing him run on grass,” Glatt said.

Flavien Prat rides Collusion Illusion, a $300,000 purchase as a 2-year-old. He is owned by a partnership that includes Dan Agnew, Rodney Orr, Jerry Schneider, and John Xitco.

Last-out front-running allowance winner Ragtime Blues is the likely second choice. Alcools has worked fast at San Luis Rey Downs for his first start of the year. Phantom Boss is rounding back into form. The Barrera is race 9 on a 12-race Saturday card.