Indian Peak steps up in La Jolla Handicap

Indian Peak has been a milestone horse for Northern California-based trainer Quinn Howey this summer.

Indian Peak, who races for owners and breeders William and Jill Gray, gave Howey his first stakes win at Santa Anita in the Snow Chief Stakes for 3-year-old statebreds on June 20. The next objective is Sunday’s Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar, which could be the first graded stakes win for Howey, 35.

Howey is confident Indian Peak is approaching the $125,000 La Jolla Handicap in good condition. The trainer was aboard the colt for a gallop Wednesday at Del Mar.

“He was frisky today,” Howey said.

:: DRF's Del Mar headquarters – Stakes schedule, previews, recaps, past performances, and more

Mike Smith rode Indian Peak in the Snow Chief Stakes and has the mount Sunday.

“That makes me feel we have a shot if he took the mount,” Howey said. “He’ll have to step up, but I think he fits.”

The La Jolla Handicap field is led by Storm the Court, the champion 2-year-old male of 2019 who is winless in four starts this year. The La Jolla Handicap will be the turf debut for Storm the Court, who was third in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby on June 27 at Thistledown.