Curlin Rules looks to step up with Let It Ride
DEL MAR, Calif. – Curlin Rules had been considered for the Twilight Derby last weekend at Santa Anita, but trainer John Sadler decided a softer spot would be better.
So the $75,000 Let It Ride at Del Mar on Saturday will be Curlin Rules’s opportunity to move to the next level.
“We opted to wait, hoping for an easier race,” Sadler, who trains Curlin Rules for Kosta and Pete Hronis, said Thursday morning. “We think he can run a lot, but he’s kind of a head case. He has trouble switching leads in his races. He’s a nice horse, and we think he can get better. It’s always about building confidence in him.”
The Let It Ride, at one mile on turf for 3-year-olds, may be an ideal spot. It drew a field of six, and Curlin Rules seems the controlling speed. He also owns a win over the Del Mar turf, in a first-level allowance Aug. 6.
In his only start since, Curlin Rules was second in an allowance race at Santa Anita on Oct. 14 from which two of his rivals – Little Scotty and Barhanpour – also exit.
Camino Del Paraiso, Defiantly, and Mittersill complete the field.
The Let It Ride goes as race 4 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.
KEY CONTENDERS
Curlin Rules, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 88-90-69
◗ His form has improved since he was switched to turf his last two starts.
◗ He scored a front-running win here Aug. 6 going a mile and set the pace last time going 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita before holding on for second.
Barhanpour, by Raven’s Pass
Last 3 Beyers: 86-87-N/A
◗ An import from France, he was an eye-catching winner here during the summer meet in his U.S. debut, then was fifth last time out in a race in which Curlin Rules was second and Little Scotty third.
“The last race was a little tougher, for 3-year-olds and up. His first was for 3 only,” said his trainer, Leonard Powell. “In his first race, even though the pace was slower, he got going early. He made a nice, sustained run from the three-eighth’s pole.
“The last race was longer. We waited longer. He didn’t quicken like we expected. Hopefully, he’ll get a nice pace Saturday and he’ll make a long, sustained run.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Barhanpour. Trainer Leonard Powell is 25-7-1-2 with a $4.30 ROI over the past five years on turf in the third start following a layoff of 45 days or more Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Buy Formulator PPs
:: Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
Little Scotty, by Paddy O’Prado
Last 3 Beyers: 87-75-93
◗ He finished well for third behind Curlin Rules last time out at Santa Anita.
◗ He has a win and a third in two starts on this course, both earlier this year during the summer meet.
Mittersill, by Acclamation
Last 2 Beyers: 91-86
◗ An Irish import, he was a close third behind Barhanpour in his U.S. debut here Sept. 3 and followed that up with fast-finishing second at Santa Anita last time out.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Mittersill. Trainer Patrick Gallagher is 58-4-7-5 with a $1.83 ROI (helped by an $86 winner) over the past two years on turf at Del Mar. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Defiantly. Trainer Craig Dollase is 53-1-8-6 with a $0.06 ROI over the past two years in turf routes. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan