Itsinthepost in solid form for Eddie Read Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – The seven Grade 2 stakes wins compiled by Itsinthepost in the last 16 months have left trainer Jeff Mullins with great admiration for the 6-year-old gelding.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Mullins said Friday morning. “I’ve never had a horse hold his form at that level. They always tail off and [wind] back into form. He’s just solid.”

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Itsinthepost’s wins have ranged from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles. In Sunday’s Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar, Itsinthepost will be racing at 1 1/8 miles, shorter than his ideal trip, which is probably 1 1/4 miles.

“It’s a sprint for him,” Mullins said.

Itsinthepost could be vulnerable at the distance of the $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes. While he will go favored, several runners offer formidable competition, including Hunt and Next Shares, who were first and third in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 28; Sharp Samurai, who won the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles last September; and Bowies Hero, who won the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile in March.

Itsinthepost, who races for Jed Cohen’s Red Baron’s Barn, will be ridden by Tyler Baze, his regular rider. Baze has ridden Itsinthepost to six stakes wins since late March 2017, and missed a winning ride in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on May 26 while recovering from injury.

KEY CONTENDERS

Itsinthepost, by American Post
Last 3 Beyers: 100-99-103

◗ The main goal for Itsinthepost this summer is the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 18 at 1 3/8 miles on turf, a race in which he was second to Hunt last year. The Eddie Read allows Mullins to maintain Itsinthepost’s fitness for that race.

◗ The Eddie Read lacks a confirmed front-runner, which could leave Itsinthepost closer to the pace than normal.

“I think he’s going to be pretty tactical,” Mullins said.

Hunt, by Dark Angel
Last 3 Beyers: 106-99-80

◗ Hunt displayed a career-best performance in the Shoemaker Mile, his first start since November, winning by a neck after a stretch duel with Heart to Heart. Hunt earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3 for winning the Shoemaker. After the Read, Hunt is expected to start in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 19.

“It will keep him racing fit for the Del Mar Mile,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “He loves it down here. However good he is at Santa Anita, he’s lengths better here.”

◗ Hunt won the 2017 Eddie Read and could be the first two-time winner since Acclamation in 2011 and 2012.

Sharp Samurai, by First Samurai
Last 3 Beyers: 99-98-98

◗ Sharp Samurai will have his stakes debut against older horses in the Eddie Read. Trained by Mark Glatt for a partnership that includes Cohen, Sharp Samurai won his 2018 debut in an optional claimer at a mile at Santa Anita on June 17.

◗ Sharp Samurai was entered for Saturday’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on dirt, but Glatt said he prefers to run him in the Eddie Read. Glatt has not ruled out starting Sharp Samurai on dirt soon, perhaps even in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 18, pending Sunday’s outcome. Sharp Samurai has won four stakes on turf.

“It’s hard to change when he’s been so successful,” Glatt said.

◗ Sharp Samurai might end up setting the pace in the Eddie Read. Last October, Sharp Samurai disputed the pace in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita and won by 2 3/4 lengths.

“The main thing is if they’re going slow he can be in the race, and if they’re going quick he can be back,” Glatt said. “I’d like to have a little target for him.”

Next Shares, by Archarcharch
Last 3 Beyers: 105-97-102

◗ Next Shares is a length from winning two Grade 1 races this year. He was second by a half-length to Bowies Hero in the Kilroe Mile and third by the same margin to Hunt in the Shoemaker. The Eddie Read will be the first start at 1 1/8 miles for Next Shares.

“I think it might help him,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “He wants to make one move. He does the same thing in his workouts. I see no reason why he wouldn’t want a mile and an eighth.”

◗ Despite his confidence, Baltas is fully aware of the difficult assignment Next Shares faces against the ultra-consistent Itsinthepost.

“Itsinthepost is just a runner,” Baltas said. “I don’t dismiss a horse that has won as many races as him.”