Danzing Candy shortens up for San Carlos Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – Through May, Danzing Candy was unbeatable around two turns. But his summer will be defined by seven-furlong races.
Danzing Candy, 4, will start in his first graded sprint stakes in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita. The race could lead to the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at the same distance at Del Mar on Aug. 26.
Trainer Bob Baffert said he has no hesitation in reducing Danzing Candy’s racing distance after a win by 4 3/4 lengths in the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap at 1 1/16 miles in Texas on May 28.
“He has natural speed, and I thought this would be a good spot,” Baffert said.
The $250,000 San Carlos Stakes drew a field of five, including Ransom the Moon, a comprehensive winner of the Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on May 20; Cool Cowboy, an import from Dubai; and Kobe’s Back, who won this race in March 2016 but is winless in his last four starts. Coastline will be a longshot.
KEY CONTENDERS
Danzing Candy, by Twirling Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 107-106-98
◗ Danzing Candy won his second start of 2017 in an optional claimer at a mile here May 5. He led throughout his recent wins and won a maiden race at seven furlongs here in December 2015.
“He’s done really well,” Baffert said of Danzing Candy’s condition.
Ransom the Moon, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 103-99-87
◗ Ransom the Moon closed from sixth to win the Kona Gold Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths in his stakes debut and 17th start. Ransom the Moon is unbeaten in two starts since joining trainer Phil D’Amato’s stable over the winter.
◗ Last year at Woodbine, Ransom the Moon was winless in six starts around two turns.
“Ransom the Moon looks like he’s finding his stride [with] one turn on the dirt,” D’Amato said. “I think the extra half-furlong could suit him more.”
Cool Cowboy, by Kodiak Kowboy
No Beyers
◗ Cool Cowboy won three minor stakes in 2013 and 2014 before being sent to Dubai in the winter of 2014-15. Cool Cowboy won 3 of 14 starts in Dubai, including a Group 3 sprint at six furlongs in February.
◗ A long-term prospect for the BC Sprint, Cool Cowboy was fifth in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup program on March 25, in his latest start.
“We come in as the fresh face,” trainer Seth Benzel said. “He’s had time to acclimate. I think seven furlongs is his best distance.”
Kobe’s Back, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 90-88-95
◗ Kobe’s Back was fifth in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs in March and fourth in the Kona Gold Stakes, his only races this year.
◗ A 6-year-old, Kobe’s Back races as a closer.
“I think he still wants to do it,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “Sometimes they come off a rest and need a couple of races. It’s up to him. He can run with these horses.”
