Game of Skill could be WinStar candidate

Game of Skill served notice that he may merit a start in the 2007 WinStar Derby by marching home a nine-length winner over maidens here Jan. 23.

A son of Wild Again, Game of Skill is trained by Chris Hartman. Based in Southern California prior to this start, Game of Skill races for the Turf Express Inc., Mark Cornett, and other partners. Game of Skill finished second twice as a 2-year-old in maiden races at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park.

The $600,000 WinStar Derby, at 1 1/8 miles, will be run March 18.

* Stealth Cat romped to her third convincing victory in a row in Sunday's El Paso Times Handicap, sizzling through quick early splits before drawing off to an easy 4 3/4-length win. She covered the 6 1/2 furlongs, on a track listed as good, in a respectable 1:18.57. Not bad considering her connections, owner J. Kirk Robison and trainer Steve Asmussen, claimed her for $25,000 out of a Keeneland race last October.

"It's a privilege to ride horses like this," said winning rider Glen Murphy. "Steve and [assistant trainer] Tony Mathiason really have this filly going super. All I had to do was hang on."