Gato Del Oro can step forward in allowance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Shivermetimbers and Gato Del Oro are a year in apart in age, but have had similar careers. Both have won twice, placed in stakes, and shown promise.

Shivermetimbers, 3, and Gato Del Oro, 4, meet for the first time Thursday in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita. The people who look after the colts expect big performances that will lead to stakes appearances.

Gato Del Oro and Shivermetimbers have drawn the inside post positions in a field of seven that includes two other stakes-placed runners, each eligible to be claimed. El Huerfano was third in the E.B. Johnston Stakes at Los Alamitos in September 2017. Ike Walker was third in the Harry Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 22.

KEY CONTENDERS

Gato Del Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 92-89-87

◗ Gato Del Oro was second to Mr Vargas in an optional claimer at six furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 18 in his first start of 2018. Last year, Gato Del Oro was second to Battle of Midway in the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar, third in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park, and was seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar last November.

“He’s run against some good horses,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “He’s been working good, and I feel good about him. I think he wants two turns.”

◗ Gato Del Oro, who will be ridden for the first time by Geovanni Franco, drew the rail, which Baltas said is not ideal. Gato Del Oro could set the pace, but may follow Ferguson, who has led in the past.

“He’s got a lot of natural speed,” Baltas said. “If someone wants the lead, that’s fine. At a mile and a sixteenth, he has plenty of time to find a spot.”

Shivermetimbers, by Shanghai Bobby
Last 3 Beyers: 83-83-87

◗ Shivermetimbers, who is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, won an optional claimer at Del Mar on July 18, and was third behind Tatters to Riches in the Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-olds on Aug. 25 after a slow start.

“When they have a bad start, it’s hard to gain ground,” said Dan Ward, Hollendorfer’s assistant at Santa Anita.

◗ Mike Smith has the mount on Thursday. Shivermetimbers has won 2 of 10 starts, with Smith aboard for the victories.

“He runs best for Mike,” Ward said.

◗ Last March, Shivermetimbers was second by 6 1/2 lengths to eventual Triple Crown winner Justify in an optional claimer at a mile at Santa Anita.

Ike Walker, by Bellamy Road
Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-78

◗ Trained by Hollendorfer, Ike Walker was third by two lengths in the Brubaker. This will be Ike Walker’s ninth start of the year. He has won twice this year and been claimed four times, for $40,000 each time.

Thursday, Ike Walker is entered to be claimed for $62,500.

“Ike is solid,” Ward said. “We have two good chances.”