Distance, not talent, the issue for O'Neill juveniles

ARCADIA, Calif. – For the foreseeable future, all 2-year-old runners trained by Doug O’Neill will be extensively scrutinized by bettors before their first start. Such is life for a stable that won the Kentucky Derby this month with Nyquist.

On Friday, O’Neill has two runners in a maiden special weight race at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita – Mr. Louis and Secret House. While O’Neill thinks each is capable of winning Friday, he is more encouraged by their long-term prospects.

“They look like two-turn horses,” O’Neill said. “I think they’re good enough to win first time out.”

The colts were bought at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Mr. Louis, by Broken Vow, is owned by Head of Plains Partners and was purchased for $90,000. Secret House, by Tiznow, is owned by Head of Plains Partners and Sheep Pond Partners and was bought for $125,000.

They are part of a field of six in Friday’s first race, which includes Feisty Anthem, a colt by Unbridled’s Song who is trained by John Brocklebank for Dickman Legacy Ranch. Feisty Anthem was offered at the Barretts March sale of 2-year-olds in training at Del Mar but was listed as being bought back for $350,000.

Since late April, Feisty Anthem has had three half-mile workouts at Santa Anita.