Fore Left holds on to win Sunny Slope Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – A simple strategy gave Fore Left his second stakes win in Sunday’s $70,560 Sunny Slope Stakes for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita.

“He doesn’t like to be fought,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “Running on the front with no blinkers seems to be his thing at this point.”

Fore Left ($6.20) led throughout the Sunny Slope Stakes, finishing 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.54. The race was restricted to horses that had not won a graded stakes.

Fore Left earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 83.

Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Fore Left set moderate fractions of 22.51 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.74 for a half-mile, leading by at least a length. Strongconstitution, trained by O’Neill, posed a threat on the rail in the stretch, but could not catch Fore Left, finishing second by a neck.

Zimba Warrior (11-1) was a well-beaten third, 5 1/2 lengths behind Fore Left, and clear of 9-10 favorite Mo Hawk, who was never in contention.

Only four ran. Raging Whiskey, also trained by O’Neill, was withdrawn and could start in Maryland-bred races in coming months, the trainer said.

Fore Left races for owners Paul and Zillah Reddam, and was purchased for $97,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

By Twirling Candy, Fore Left has won 3 of 6 starts and earned $199,551. He won his first two starts, including the Tremont Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park on June 7, before losing three appearances in graded stakes – a third in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 10, a fifth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs on Sept. 2, and a seventh in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles here on Sept. 27.

Fore Left was fitted with blinkers in the Del Mar Futurity, but has not worn the equipment in his last two starts.

O’Neill said Fore Left will be considered for the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 16.