Early Encore expected to take a bow in Graduation Stakes.
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DEL MAR, Calif. – The fastest 4 1/2-furlong race in five years at Santa Anita will be relevant only if 2-year-old colt Early Encore runs to his name and reproduces his smashing debut when he makes his second start on Friday at Del Mar.
It’s been 11 weeks since Early Encore crushed maidens in 51.76 seconds to emerge as the favorite for the $100,000 Graduation Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong race for Cal-bred 2-year-olds. Early Encore has history on his side – favorites have won seven of the last 11 editions of the Graduation.
Early Encore could flirt with odds-on favoritism in the Graduation as all eight entrants are last-out maiden winners. Those include improving three-start late-runner King Kameha; two-start front-runner Net Par; and workmanlike debut winner Phone Booth. Early Encore, who earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure winning his only start by 6 3/4 lengths, is fastest of the lot.
A minor hiccup following Early Encore’s debut is resolved. “He got a little sick after he worked three-eighths [July 4],” trainer John Sadler said. “Fortunately, we had so much time, and we needed it. For him it worked out just fine, but he did miss 10 days getting over a temperature.”
Three subsequent drills have Early Encore on point, including a five-furlong Del Mar solo drill on Sunday in 1:00.80 under jockey Joel Rosario. Early Encore is a Cal-bred with a Kentucky pedigree. Sired by first-crop stallion Early Voting, he was produced by an Into Mischief mare.
“When we bought him at the sale he looked like a nice-looking Cal-bred yearling,” Sadler said, referring to the $90,000 auction price at the Fasig-Tipton California fall yearling sale.
The colt’s early training was at Legacy Ranch under the supervision of ranch manager Terry Knight.
In early spring, Sadler said Knight told him Early Encore “looks like he can run, and he looks like he’s early.” Sadler added, “If Terry says they’re early, I say send ’em.”
Early Encore had his first recorded work March 23 at Santa Anita. Two months later, he raced the fastest 4 1/2 furlongs at the track since Big City Lights smoked 51.63 in his debut in spring 2021.
Early Encore is owned by a partnership that includes Desert Sun Stables and U Racing Stables. Jeff Lifson, founder of U Racing, was impressed by Early Encore’s professionalism first out.
“After he spurted to the front and got clearance, he came back to Joel [Rosario],” Lifson said. “He settled and waited on horses, they came up to him, and then he blew them out again. That was a good sign, that he’s smart enough to listen to riders, especially in your first race.”
Early Encore looks like the speed of the Graduation. His main rival rallies from behind. King Kameha finished nearly seven lengths behind Early Encore two starts back, and improved next out. King Kameha rallied from midfield and won by nearly five lengths. It was the McKinzie colt’s third start.
“He’s really, really studdish,” trainer Steve Knapp said. “He needs to be gelded. The first two races, he came for home, stuck his head way up in the air, and was just not paying attention at all. He’s gotten a little bit better now.”
King Kameha put it all together with a 4 3/4-length victory June 14 at Santa Anita. The 66 Beyer victory was flattered when runner-up Fumano’s Fire and third-place Net Par both won their next start. If the Graduation favorite Early Encore misfires, King Kameha could spring the upset under Tiago Pereira.
Net Par and Phone Booth, both by the hot sire Pavel and owned by breeder J. Paul Reddam, are the only starters who have raced at Del Mar. Net Par, trained by Antonio Garcia, won by 7 3/4 lengths with a 62 Beyer on July 18. Phone Booth, trained by Doug O’Neill, won by one length with a 61 Beyer on July 19.
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Phone Booth, who drew the rail for the Graduation, is cross-entered Saturday in the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes. Phone Booth, a full brother to Sunland Derby winner Pavlovian, was odds-on winning his debut in workmanlike fashion at five furlongs.
“I thought it was really impressive because he acts like a horse the farther, the better,” O’Neill said. “It’s hard to win first time out if you don’t have crazy gate speed, which he really doesn’t.”
Others in the Graduation, which is race 7, include Prime Splash, Jonny’s Cap, and Prime Listing.
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