Golden Itiz won't go in Swaps

INGLEWOOD, Calif.- Golden Itiz, the winner of the Grade 3 Affirmed Handicap in June, is unlikely to start in Saturday's $200,000 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park after trainer Ron Ellis said on Tuesday that he was unsatisfied with the colt's recent training.

Golden Itiz worked five furlongs in 1:02.40 on Sunday, but the exercise left Ellis disappointed.

"He didn't work that well and that's not like him," Ellis said. "I don't think he'll run. We're doing a blood test."

Owned by Mace and Samantha Siegel, Golden Itiz has won 3 of 4 starts and $118,080. He won the Affirmed Handicap in his stakes debut on June 19.

The absence of Golden Itiz is likely to lead trainer Bob Baffert to start Concord Point, the winner of the Grade 3 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows on June 26.

"I think I'm in the fray," Baffert said on Tuesday.

There are not many other horses in the fray. The Grade 2 Swaps Stakes, which is run over 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic main track, drew just eight nominees and is likely to have a field of five.

The expected favorite is Sidney's Candy, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby for Jenny Craig and trainer John Sadler in April. Sidney's Candy has not started since finishing 17th in the Kentucky Derby on May 1. In that race, Sidney's Candy raced near the front for the first mile but faded badly through the final quarter-mile to finish 54 1/4 lengths behind Super Saver.

Sidney's Candy won three stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year. Sunday, Sidney's Candy had his final tune-up, a seven-furlong workout in 1:25.60.

Other probable starters include Alphie's Bet, Skipshot, and Twirling Candy. Skipshot and Alphie's Bet were second and third behind Golden Itiz in the Affirmed. The Swaps would be the stakes debut for Twirling Candy, who is unbeaten in two starts.