Cruel Intention looks to bounce back in Real Good Deal

DEL MAR, Calif. – Cruel Intention lost his unbeaten record when he finished fourth in his first start in more than seven months on June 22 at Santa Anita.

The setback has not deterred trainer Bob Baffert.

Cruel Intention has rebounded with a series of fast workouts leading to Saturday’s $150,000 Real Good Deal Stakes for California-breds at Del Mar. The race is restricted to 3-year-olds and is run at seven furlongs.

“I think he needed it,” Baffert said of the recent loss in an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option.

“He’s back and he’s been working really well.”

Cruel Intention figures to be a strong favorite in the Real Good Deal Stakes, which drew a field of five. Cruel Intention won the Golden State Juvenile at seven furlongs at Santa Anita last November. The only other stakes winner in Saturday’s field is Lieutenant Dan, who won the Echo Eddie Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 6 at Santa Anita.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Cruel Intention, by Smiling Tiger
Last 3 Beyers: 76-90-81

◗ A winner of 2 of 3 starts, Cruel Intention tends to run near the front. In the recent optional claimer, he set the pace to early stretch and faded to finish 5 1/4 lengths behind winner California Street.

◗ Last fall, Cruel Intention was turned out briefly following his win in the Golden State Juvenile. Owned by LNJ Foxwoods, Jungle Racing, and Nexus Racing Club, Cruel Intention resumed workouts in early April. He worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds here July 20, the fastest of 66 works at the distance.

Lieutenant Dan, by Grazen
Last 3 Beyers: 79-78-80

◗ Lieutenant Dan won his stakes debut in the Echo Eddie Stakes and has since finished third in two turf races for statebreds – the Silky Sullivan Stakes at a mile on April 28 at Golden Gate Fields and the Snow Chief Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on June 22 at Santa Anita. He lost the Silky Sullivan by a head.

◗ Trained by Steve Miyadi for owner and breeder Nick Alexander, Lieutenant Dan has won 3 of 5 starts in sprints.

“I think a mile and an eighth was too far for him,” Alexander said. “The seven furlongs is right up his alley.”

◗ Drayden Van Dyke will ride Lieutenant Dan, replacing Geovanni Franco.

“It was not a reflection on Geovanni,” Alexander said. “The last two races he’s been beaten small margins. We wanted to try something different.”