Desormeaux high on Ayacara ahead of San Felipe

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ayacara closed with interest to finish second in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Feb. 3 in his 3-year-old debut. Next for Ayacara is the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes next Saturday, a key prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

Ayacara will be a longshot in the race, expected to include the Grade 1 winners Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie. But Ayacara belongs in the race, according to trainer Keith Desormeaux.

“It will be a good test,” Desormeaux said Thursday. “That’s the way I’m looking at it. We don’t have to leave [town].

“We’ll see a good race from Ayacara. I know I have a top-class horse. He’s ready now.”

Owned by Charles and Cynthia Marquis, Ayacara beat maidens in a one-mile race at Del Mar last summer and is winless in four stakes on turf and dirt. In the Lewis Stakes, Ayacara closed from eighth in a field of nine to finish two lengths behind Lombo, another contender in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes, also at 1 1/16 miles.

Desormeaux said Ayacara’s performance in the San Felipe will determine plans for April. The main option is the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

“This will decide if we run in the Santa Anita Derby or ship out,” Desormeaux said.

Desormeaux’s stable has already had a successful 3-year-old season. My Boy Jack won the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at a mile at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 19 in his second start of the year. On Thursday, Desormeaux said My Boy Jack is likely to start in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 24 instead of the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park the preceding weekend.

“I might go to the Louisiana Derby,” he said. “It gives me another week.”