Daddy D T looks to regain confidence

Third-place finishes in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last October and the minor Eddie Logan Stakes on Dec. 27 have led Daddy D T to a first-level optional $80,000 claimer on turf in Sunday’s sixth race at Santa Anita.

If the race goes well, Daddy D T will be back in stakes in the coming months.

“I just want to get a nice, easy win,” trainer John Sadler said Friday. “We want to get a confidence builder.”

Daddy D T is one of eight 3-year-olds in the optional claimer. The field includes Papacoolpapacool, who was fifth in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes on dirt Jan. 10. Papacoolpapacool was transferred from trainer Jeff Mullins to Phil D’Amato after that race.

:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Sunday

Daddy D T was beaten 6 1/4 lengths in the Logan Stakes by Bolo, a candidate for the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds on dirt March 7. Daddy D T races for Hronis Racing and has 1 win in 5 starts.