Collusion Illusion might stay at one turn this summer

Collusion Illusion’s brilliant rally that led to a win in Saturday’s Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita is likely to keep the 3-year-old in one-turn races this summer.

Collusion Illusion caught pacesetter Ragtime Blues in the stretch of the $100,000 Barrera Stakes at seven furlongs before drawing away by 3 1/4 lengths at 2-5. The win has led trainer Mark Glatt to strongly consider the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes, a $300,000 race at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds, on Aug. 1 at Saratoga.

“It makes some sense,” Glatt said. “It’s Grade 1.”

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Glatt said he would like to give Collusion Illusion a start in longer races at some point, but questioned Sunday whether this summer is the time to do so.

Collusion Illusion won the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs in his stakes debut at Del Mar last summer and his 3-year-old debut in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at six furlongs against older horses on May 17.

Collusion Illusion was pulled up in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles last September, his only loss in five starts and his final race of 2019.

“My inclination is – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Glatt said. “There is nothing wrong with a Grade 1 sprinting. There is always a chance to stretch him out later.”

In the Barrera, Collusion Illusion closed along the rail on the turn.

“He took quite a bit of dirt,” Glatt said. “It was pretty impressive. It wasn’t a perfect trip. I wouldn’t call it a bad trip, either.”

Owned by the partnership of Dan Agnew, Rodney Orr, Jerry Schneider, and John Xitco, Collusion Illusion has earned $248,751