Gormley vs. American Anthem in Sham Stakes
Gormley showed that he could go from a debut win sprinting and then annex a graded stakes going two turns in his second start, and on Saturday at Santa Anita, American Anthem will get that chance, too, with his biggest obstacle being, coincidentally, Gormley.
Those two promising 3-year-old colts – among the better-regarded prospects in California for the Kentucky Derby four months hence – are set to meet in the Grade 3, $100,000 Sham Stakes. The one-mile Sham offers 17 points overall, including 10 points to the winner, toward a berth in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 based on the system used by Churchill Downs to determine the Derby field.
American Anthem showed plenty of talent in his works leading up to his debut, then drew a cozy outside stall in the six-furlong race at Del Mar on Dec. 3. Still, it was a bit of a surprise to see him get up, being as he’s a large colt who looks as though sprinting is not going to be his future.
“We knew he was a good horse,” trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday. “Turning for home, I didn’t think he was going to get there. He’s a big, green horse. He showed he’s talented.”
So did Gormley when he began his career. Gormley won his debut sprinting at Del Mar on Sept. 4, then successfully stretched out to take the Grade 1 FrontRunner at Santa Anita on Oct. 1. He has the edge over American Anthem on experience.
Five others are entered in the Sham, including Term of Art, who won the off-the-turf Cecil B. DeMille, a Grade 3 race, at Del Mar last time out.
The Sham goes as race 7 on a nine-race card.
KEY CONTENDERS
American Anthem, by Bodemeister
Beyer: 86
◗ He landed the rail, which should be of benefit when saving ground in a two-turn race with a short run to the first turn, but he might not get the in-the-clear run he had in his debut, and there’s the possibility that the track will be drying out from rain on Thursday.
“Everything will need to go well,” Baffert said.
◗ One thing Baffert is certain of is that “distance will be no problem.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 American Anthem. Trainer Bob Baffert is 14-8-1-0 with a $1.91 ROI over the past five years going sprint to route on dirt in the second career start following a debut win. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Buy Formulator PPs
:: Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
Gormley, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 76-93-64
◗ This will be his first start since a disappointing performance in his third career race, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, in which he was a well-beaten seventh. Trainer John Shirreffs said he was “very surprised” at how Gormley ran that day.
◗ Victor Espinoza has been aboard for all three starts and has the return call.
Term of Art, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 74-72-68
◗ The DeMille was his first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. His Beyer Speed Figures have improved every race, but he likely will need a significant leap forward to prevail against these.
Big Hit, by Super Saver
Last 3 Beyers: 85-62-39
◗ He disappointed in his first two starts but got away with a fairly soft pace last time out and ran away for an easy victory against maidens.
