Conscripted to get class test in Cecil B. DeMille Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Conscripted was an upset winner first time out at Santa Anita, and he’ll look to pull off another mild surprise on Sunday at Del Mar in the Grade 3, $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes for 2-year-olds.

The DeMille, known as the Generous when it was run at Hollywood Park, is a one-mile race scheduled for turf. Rain was forecast from Saturday afternoon into Sunday, so the race could be run on ground that has some give in it.

Conscripted rallied from last in an eight-horse field to win at 21-1 in his debut under Alex Solis.

“He ran a better race than we were expecting,” trainer John Shirreffs said here Friday. Shirreffs added that Conscripted had shown talent while working in company with some of his more precocious 2-year-olds, including Grade 1 winner Gormley and the promising maiden Royal Mo.

“Every time he worked, he never gave up,” Shirreffs said. “Alex Solis had worked him several times and wanted to ride him. He’s a very athletic colt, extremely light on his feet.”

There are nine entered in the DeMille, named for the famed movie director who was also the grandfather of Del Mar’s president and chief executive, Joe Harper. The race includes another first-out winner, Hootie, as well as Term of Art, who is switching to turf after four dirt starts, most recently the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

The DeMille is race 6 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Conscripted, by Biondetti
Beyer: 70

◗ He showed a sharp turn of foot in his lone start, covering the final quarter-mile in about 23 seconds.

Hootie, by Candy Ride
Beyer: 76

◗ Like Conscripted, he won his lone start going a mile on turf against maidens at Santa Anita. He was pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, but the selection committee placed him well down the list, and he did not get in.

Term of Art, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 72-68-66

◗ He gets some class relief after taking on the best 2-year-olds in the land in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

◗ This will be his first try on turf, but he does have some turf pedigree, being out of a Storm Cat mare.

Sword Fighter, by Wildcat Heir
Career Beyers: 78-80

◗ He has run well on both turf and dirt in his two starts, so if this race were to be moved to the main track, he would not be hindered one bit.

Ky. Colonel, by Into Mischief
Career Beyers: 65-61-26

◗ He defeated maidens over this course before finishing fifth in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf back on Sept. 3.