For Del Mar Derby contender Sharp Samurai, grass is greener

DEL MAR, Calif. – For a horse thriving by the sea at Del Mar this summer, Sharp Samurai doesn’t like sand in his face.

Earlier this year, trainer Mark Glatt moved Sharp Samurai from races on the main track to turf to try a new surface and keep the gelding from getting kickback in his face. The change has been a spectacular success. Sharp Samurai tries to win his third consecutive turf stakes in Sunday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Derby.

“I thought he would like the turf,” Glatt said.

Sharp Samurai, who won a $75,000 claimer for maidens on dirt at Santa Anita in February, has won 3 of 4 starts on turf. He is one of four stakes winners in the Del Mar Derby field, along with Big Score, Bowies Hero, and Marckie’s Water.

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Bowies Hero won the Oceanside Stakes here on July 19. Big Score won the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland in April. Marckie’s Water won the Snow Chief Stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita in May.

The $250,000 Del Mar Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles and drew a field of 11. Fashion Business and Colonist will attract support after finishing second and third behind Sharp Samurai in the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap here on Aug. 6.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sharp Samurai, by First Samurai
Last 3 Beyers: 92-94-84

◗ Sharp Samurai, who races for Red Baron’s Barn, Rancho Temescal, and Glatt, is perfect in two starts at 1 1/8 miles on turf, including the Rainbow Stakes at Santa Anita on June 10. Gary Stevens was aboard for that race and the La Jolla, and rides on Sunday.

◗ In his last two races, Sharp Samurai stalked the pace and was near the front with a furlong remaining. Glatt said Sharp Samurai can be closer to the front if necessary.

“The race may be void of early speed, though,” Glatt said of the Del Mar Derby.

“He’s been strong since his last race and came out of it in good order.”

Big Score, by Mr. Big
Last 3 Beyers: 85-87-90

◗ Big Score won his first start of the year in the Transylvania Stakes, but is winless in three subsequent starts, the latest of which was an eighth in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby on July 8.

◗ The Del Mar Derby was Big Score’s primary goal this summer, trainer Tim Yakteen said.

“Everything has been very straightforward,” Yakteen said. “He’ll run his race.”

◗ This will be Big Score’s first start in California this year and his first start with blinkers. Leading rider Flavien Prat has the mount on the colt, who tends to race from off the pace.

Bowies Hero, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 91-87-89

◗ Bowies Hero was held out of the La Jolla Handicap in favor of the Del Mar Derby. In the Oceanside, Bowies Hero closed from ninth to win by 1 1/2 lengths, overcoming trouble on the turn.

◗ Through late July and August, Bowies Hero worked only on turf. While the times were not particularly fast, trainer Phil D’Amato said the colt handled the exercise without significant exertion.

“I think I’ve got a fresh horse,” D’Amato said. “He’s tearing it up in the morning. I haven’t seen him train as well as he’s training on this turf course. He’s got a good head, and I think with maturity he’s coming on.”