Curlin Rules just getting started

ARCADIA, Calif. – The calendar has not worked in favor of Curlin Rules, who starts in an optional claimer for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Curlin Rules won a maiden race at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 21 in his second start and his first race around two turns.

“I’m probably late for the Derby,” trainer John Sadler, referring to any hope of a trip to Kentucky on May 7.

Instead, Sadler and owners Pete and Kosta Hronis are hoping to use Sunday’s race as a prep for other 3-year-old stakes, possibly the $150,000 California Chrome Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Los Alamitos on April 30.

Curlin Rules has five rivals on Sunday. The competition is led by Ossetra, who was second in a similar race at Los Alamitos on Dec. 5 in his last start; Rare Candy, second in an optional claimer on turf Feb. 16; and Fast Munny, the winner of a seven-furlong maiden race in his debut Feb. 20.

Curlin Rules was purchased for $375,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale.

“I’m anxious to see if he can make the next step,” Sadler said. “He’s training well, and he looks like he’s on the upswing.”

◗ A memorial service will be held Tuesday in San Diego for Ernie Myers, the local radio show legend and former Del Mar simulcast host who died earlier this month. The service begins at 2 p.m. Pacific at the First United Methodist Church, 2111 Camino del Rio.