El Tigre Terrible surprises in Speakeasy Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – El Tigre Terrible stormed between runners, including one stablemate, to win Sunday’s $100,000 Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-old turf sprinters at Santa Anita in an upset, launching a winner’s circle discussion about whether a start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint here on Nov. 1 is financially sensible.

El Tigre Terrible ($49.20) earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint, but the berth can be redeemed only if the gelding is nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program for $100,000 by Oct. 21, the day pre-entries are due.

El Tigre Terrible was not nominated as a weanling in 2017.

“We have to put up the money,” said Nick Cosato of the Slam Dunk Racing partnership that co-owns El Tigre Terrible with Michael Nentwig.

“I would probably say right now that we’d pass, but you never know.”

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Trainer Peter Miller swept the first two positions with El Tigre Terrible and 5-1 Bulletproof One. Edwin Maldonado, who rode Bulletproof One, lodged an objection, alleging interference by El Tigre Terrible in the final strides. The objection was dismissed.

El Tigre Terrible ran five furlongs on turf in 55.78 seconds, winning his stakes debut. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 74.

Ridden by Ruben Fuentes, El Tigre Terrible closed from last in a field of 10 to win by a head. Greg’s Diva (6-1) set a quick pace of 20.76 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 43.99 for a half-mile, which Fuentes said helped El Tigre Terrible.

“They were going so quick,” Fuentes said. “He settled on his own. I stayed on the fence and it opened up. It was a dream trip. He finished strongly.”

Bulletproof One, one of three fillies in the field, closed from a stalking position and overcame traffic on the turn to finish second, a half-length in front of Greg’s Diva.

Bulletproof One, the winner of two stakes for statebreds during the summer on dirt while racing as a pacesetter, had her turf debut in the Speakeasy Stakes. Co-owner Aron Wellman, of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partner, said the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint is a possibility.

“Arguably, she might have been best,” Wellman said. “She had to wait off heels. She showed a different dimension today, too.”

Greg’s Diva finished third, followed by Ginobili, Square Deal, Commander, Raging Whiskey, Absolute Weapon, Alfie Solomons, and Biddy Duke. Mr. Tip was scratched after breaking through the gate before the start.

Ginobili, fourth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity for a partnership that includes Slam Dunk Racing, was the 5-2 favorite.

El Tigre Terrible, a California-bred by Smiling Tiger, has won 3 of 5 starts and earned $118,300. Purchased for $18,000 as a yearling, El Tigre Terrible won a $50,000 claimer for California-bred maidens at Del Mar on July 19 and an optional claimer-starter allowance there on Sept. 1.

The Speakeasy Stakes was El Tigre Terrible’s first start on turf.