Denman's Call has easier task in San Pedro
ARCADIA, Calif. – The $75,000 San Pedro Stakes was originally scheduled to be run March 11, but a severe storm that afternoon forced it – and two other races – to be canceled. It was brought back for Sunday’s card and drew a field of seven 3-year-olds, including Denman’s Call, who will try to earn a berth in the Santa Anita Derby.
Denman’s Call has raced just twice and comes off a third-place finish behind 2-year-old champion Nyquist and Exaggerator in the San Vicente Stakes. Like Nyquist, Denman’s Call is trained by Doug O’Neill. With Nyquist heading to Florida, Denman’s Call could be the stable’s representative in the Santa Anita Derby.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Denman’s Call. Trainer Doug O’Neill is 24-1-3-3 with a $0.12 ROI over the past three years in dirt sprint stakes with 3-year-olds. – Mike Hogan
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O’Neill said he was “floored” by how well Denman’s Call ran in the San Vicente, in which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 94.
“He was not intimidated one iota by Nyquist and Exaggerator,” O’Neill said. “Going seven furlongs second time out is not an easy gig.”
The San Pedro, at six furlongs, also attracted Toews On Ice, who is returning to a sprint after a sixth-place finish in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 16. Bob Baffert, who trains Toews On Ice, also entered Mt. Veeder, who won twice in three starts last year and is making his first start since September.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Mt Veeder and No. 6 Toews On Ice. Trainer Bob Baffert is 36-13-4-3 with a $3.76 ROI over the past five years going route to sprint in dirt stakes with 3-year-olds. – Mike Hogan
Toews On Ice carries the top weight of 124 pounds, four more than the other six runners.
The field also includes He’s a Tiger, Iron Rob, Boldly True, and Gold Rush Dancer. The San Pedro goes as race 8 on the nine-race card.
◗ Longtime owner and breeder Barbara Kelly died March 11, according to the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Kelly owned the Unbridled’s Song stallion Fullbridled, who stands at Daehling Ranch in Elk Grove, Calif.