Count Alexander eager to run in Zuma Beach Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Count Alexander’s brief career has been geared toward turf races such as Monday’s $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile at Santa Anita.

The colt may be warming to the job. On Friday, Count Alexander surprised trainer Vladimir Cerin with his attitude.

“He woke up this morning,” Cerin said. “He said, ‘Let’s go train.’ ”

Count Alexander’s race record alone makes him a contender in the Zuma Beach, which drew a field of 12. The race could produce starters for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 3.

There are no stakes winners in the field, but seven entrants have run in stakes. My Boy Jack and Kazan were second and third in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sept. 3 and are still maidens. Trusting Friend, a winner in England in July, was fourth in the Laurel Futurity in his American debut on Sept. 16.

KEY CONTENDERS

Count Alexander, by Scat Daddy
Beyers: 72-72

◗ The Zuma Beach will be Count Alexander’s first start in California. Previously trained by Mary Lightner at Woodbine, Count Alexander won his debut in a maiden race at six furlongs on turf Aug. 27 and was fourth in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes at a mile on turf Sept. 17.

◗ Owned by David and Holly Wilson, Count Alexander is strictly a turf horse, Cerin said.

“He’s never outworked a $5,000 claimer on dirt,” he said. “He hates dirt.”

My Boy Jack, by Creative Cause
Last 3 Beyers: 72-68-50

◗ My Boy Jack was second to Encumbered in consecutive races, beaten less than a length both times – in a maiden race at a mile at Del Mar on July 30 and in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf. Trained by Keith Desormeaux, My Boy Jack is a threat from off the pace.

Kazan, by Shanghai Bobby
Beyers: 70-46

◗ Kazan has been third in two starts, a one-mile maiden race on turf at Santa Anita on July 1 and the Del Mar Juvenile Turf. In the interim, trainer Simon Callaghan noticed improved fitness from the colt, who runs from off the pace.

“I think he’s getting the hang of it,” he said. “We figured he made such a leap forward, he deserves a chance in the stakes.

“He can break his maiden down the road or Monday. Monday is the first preference.”

Restrainedvengeance, by Hold Me Back
Last 3 Beyers: 76-67-57

◗ Restrainedvengeance won a maiden race at a mile by 5 3/4 lengths on Sept. 30, his first start around two turns. The race left the gelding energized, trainer Val Brinkerhoff said on Friday.

“He’s on the muscle,” he said. “He will be tough. He tried to buck me off this morning, so that’s good.”