Distinctiv Passion could earn Dubai trip with good showing in Palos Verdes
ARCADIA, Calif. – Distinctiv Passion’s position in California’s sprint division is on the rise this winter. He may go global in a few months.
On Saturday, Distinctiv Passion starts in the $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs at Santa Anita, a race that could lead to a start in the $2 million Golden Shaheen for sprinters in Dubai on March 28.
“If he wins, we’ll think about that,” trainer Jeff Bonde said.
Distinctiv Passion starts from the rail and is part of a strong field of six in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes. The other runners are Big Macher, the winner of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar last July; Secret Circle, who won the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint; Wild Dude, who won the 2014 Palos Verdes; Conquest Two Step, who was second in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes last month; and the outsider Chief Lion.
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KEY CONTENDERS
Distinctiv Passion (Last 3 Beyers: 95-100-89)
◗ Distinctiv Passion has won 6 of 13 starts and earned $336,180. He won the first graded stakes of his career in the Grade 3 Midnight Lute Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs here Dec. 27, leading throughout and winning by 1 3/4 lengths.
◗ Distinctiv Passion set fast fractions in the Midnight Lute – 21.23 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 42.99 for a half-mile. Bonde said Distinctiv Passion can be quick and still run within himself for jockey Mike Smith.
“He’s at his apex, I think,” Bonde said. “He’s learned how to relax a bit, and that has helped. When your horse is doing good, that’s when you feel confident.”
Big Macher (Last 3 Beyers: 98-94-83)
◗ Big Macher was withdrawn from the California Cup Sprint in favor of the Palos Verdes. A 5-year-old gelding, Big Macher has not raced since winning the Cary Grant Stakes for California-breds at Del Mar on Nov. 23. The time between races is a plus, trainer Richard Baltas said.
“I think he’s better with his races spaced,” Baltas said.
◗ Big Macher drew post 2 and is likely to stalk Distinctiv Passion. A win Saturday could lead to a trip to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen, Baltas said.
Wild Dude (Last 3 Beyers: 101-98-104)
◗ Wild Dude won the Palos Verdes Stakes in his stakes debut last February and was second to Big Macher in the Grade 2 Potrero Grande Stakes in April. Wild Dude was rested last summer and fall due to foot issues and body soreness, according to Dan Ward, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s assistant.
Secret Circle (Last 3 Beyers: 88-100-104)
◗ Secret Circle was beaten a half-length when second to Work All Week in the BC Sprint in November and was later second in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Secret Circle was fourth in the Midnight Lute as the 3-10 favorite.
◗ For the Palos Verdes, Secret Circle will be fitted with blinkers for the first time since November 2011, when he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint at Churchill Downs.
“We’re just trying to get him more involved,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He worked well with them.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Secret Circle. Trainer Bob Baffert is 11-4-2-2 with a $3.58 ROI over the past two years adding blinkers in dirt sprints. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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