Itsinthepost may have run his longest race for a while

ARCADIA, Calif. – The longest race of Itsinthepost’s career has become the defining race of Itsinthepost’s career.

At Santa Anita on Saturday, Itsinthepost won his first stakes in his 24th start in the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf, his first attempt at the distance.

That may be as far as he runs in the near future. Trainer Jeff Mullins said Sunday no race plans have been made for Itsinthepost later this spring. He seemed more interested in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/4 miles May 28 than the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on April 22.

The purses of those races will play a role in the decision. The Whittingham is worth $200,000, while the San Juan Capistrano is worth $100,000.

In the $202,415 San Luis Rey Stakes, Itsinthepost ($15.60) stalked pacesetter Ashleyluvssugar for 1 1/4 miles before taking the lead in early stretch. Ridden by Tyler Baze, Itsinthepost won by a length over 27-1 Syntax.

“He had to prove he could get the distance, and he proved that,” Mullins said.

Itsinthepost was second in the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles Feb. 4, losing by a half-length in his graded stakes debut on turf after leading in the stretch. Owned by Red Baron’s Barn, Itsinthepost has won 4 of 24 starts and has earned $362,712.

Mullins said race tactics are vital for Itsinthepost, who tends to race as a stalker. Mullins said the 5-year-old gelding was well suited to the moderate pace in the San Luis Rey Stakes – a half-mile in 48.80 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.13.

“The slower pace was easier on him,” Mullins said. “He could settle into contention. I think when they go fast early someone sneaks up and gets him.”

Itsinthepost may face Ashleyluvssugar in the Whittingham. A five-time stakes winner, Ashleyluvssugar was beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Itsinthepost on Saturday after leading by as many as 2 1/2 lengths in the first half-mile.

“He gets bored out there too long,” trainer Peter Eurton said.

Ashleyluvssugar won the San Luis Rey and Whittingham Stakes in 2015.

Syntax, who won the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park in 2015, is a candidate for the San Juan Capistrano. The San Luis Rey Stakes was Syntax’s second start in California for trainer Phil D’Amato and the longest race of his career.

“I thought he skipped over the ground,” D’Amato said. “He didn’t seem too winded.”